Iran's World Cup Exit Sparks Pride Among Fans for Players
WHO:
ABC News - Head coach Amir Ghalenoei stated, “We’re leaving Tijuana today, but our heart stays here.”
ABC News - Arely Ramírez, a Tijuana resident, expressed, “Iran is taking home the best of our country, and this city, which is the way in which outsiders are received.”
ABC News - The Iranian national team, fans including Mohammad Modarres and Kimia Ranjbar, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and head coach Amir Ghalenoei.
AP News - The Iranian team and its supporters, including Sherry Ghaemi and Siavash Khosrowshahi.
WHAT:
ABC News - The Iranian team thanked Mexico and Tijuana for their “kindness” during the tournament.
ABC News - The Iranian team expressed that their experience during the tournament was undermined by “a series of decisions, logistical arrangements, and circumstances that undermined the sense of fairness.”
ABC News - The Iranian national team left North America after being eliminated from the World Cup.
ABC News - Iran's World Cup matches ended in three draws, and their advancement depended on the outcome of a match between Algeria and Austria.
ABC News - The team celebrated when Algeria took the lead but was later dismayed when Austria equalized.
ABC News - A late goal by Shoja Khalilzadeh in Iran's last match against Egypt was ruled offside.
ABC News - The Iranian team expressed disappointment over their treatment during the tournament and questioned the fairness of decisions made by the U.S.
ABC News - The team wore pins with the number “168” to honor victims of a missile strike, mostly children, at the start of the conflict.
ABC News - The team left a note in the locker room at Los Angeles Stadium calling for peace among all nations.
ABC News - The AFC Asian Cup is mentioned as a future opportunity for Team Melli.
WHERE:
ABC News - The Iranian national team departed for the airport from Tijuana, Mexico.
ABC News - The Iranian national team departed from Tijuana, Mexico.
ABC News - The team had its base camp in Arizona before relocating to Mexico.
WHEN:
ABC News - The Iranian national team left North America on a Tuesday.
ABC News - The match that determined Iran's advancement was scheduled for a Saturday.
ABC News - The AFC Asian Cup is set to occur six months after the team's World Cup exit.
WHY:
ABC News - The Iranian team criticized U.S. officials for a lack of commitment to international law and fairness in hosting the tournament.
ABC News - The Iranian team faced logistical challenges and travel restrictions due to the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
ABC News - The team’s statement indicated that the remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Mullin reflected a lack of commitment to international law.
HOW:
ABC News - The U.S. denied Iran's request to travel to the U.S. two days before its Los Angeles matches, although it relaxed some restrictions for Iran's last match.
ABC News - The U.S. denied Iran's request to move its matches to Mexico and refused to grant visas to key members of the Iranian team's staff.
ABC News - The team expressed gratitude to Mexico and Tijuana for their kindness during the tournament.
(UPDATED June 30, 2026 21:31 UTC)
The Iranian national team has departed from Tijuana, Mexico, expressing gratitude for the city's hospitality during their tournament stay. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei noted, “We’re leaving Tijuana today, but our heart stays here,” while local resident Arely Ramírez remarked that Iran is taking home the best of their country. However, the team criticized U.S. officials for a lack of commitment to international law and fairness, particularly after their request to travel to the U.S. was denied just two days before their matches in Los Angeles.
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(UPDATED June 30, 2026 19:46 UTC)
The Iranian national soccer team has departed North America after being eliminated from the World Cup, where they ended their matches in three draws and were left disheartened by the outcome of a crucial match between Algeria and Austria. During their time in the tournament, the team wore pins honoring victims of a missile strike and left a note in the locker room calling for peace among all nations, expressing disappointment over their treatment and questioning the fairness of decisions made by U.S. officials. Looking ahead, the team is set to participate in the AFC Asian Cup six months after their World Cup exit, having faced significant logistical challenges and travel restrictions throughout the tournament.