Iran striker Taremi says 2026 FIFA World Cup a ‘logistical disaster’
The captain of the Iranian national team Mehdi Taremi has described the handling of his team’s itinerary at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup as a logistical disaster.
Taremi who was fielding questions from journalists after Iran’s 1-1 draw with Egypt said that FIFA has failed to resolve unfair checks that the team’s officials are subjected to between their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, and US match locations.
He stated that FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised at the beginning of the group stage of the tournament to solve the issues surrounding the team’s commuting from Mexico to the USA but unfortunately he has still not been able to do so.
“It’s a disaster World Cup. A disaster. FIFA has to solve every problem here, but unfortunately, they haven’t solved it since the beginning.
“Mr. Infantino came to our changing room in the first game, and he said, It’s just a beginning, but the group stage finishes tomorrow, and we don’t have our logistics people here. They don’t have a visa.
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“How is it possible we always have to travel to Tijuana. We love the people of Mexico. We love Tijuana. It’s so good. They are such humble people. We love them.”
Taremi demanded better treatment and also argued that professional players are not treated the way they have been treated especially at a professional competition like the FIFA World Cup.
“But as a professional player, professional competition, it’s not right. It’s about our opinion, because now we have travelled again, going to Tijuana again. So without recovery, without nothing. But in our opinion, it’s not fair. Is it fair for FIFA? Okay, good to them. But it’s not fair.
“No, we do our best, always do our best. We play for other people. We want them to be happy. We want to bring the joy. We want to send a message of peace to the people. In Iran, outside Iran, for FIFA, for everyone. But there is no peace about the others to us.”
Iran will officially advance to the Round of 32 as long as one of the final group stage scenarios on Saturday goes their way (such as Ghana defeating Croatia, DR Congo failing to beat Uzbekistan, or a definitive winner emerging between Austria and Algeria).
