Taremi blasts FIFA after VAR heartbreak leaves Team Melli's knockout hopes hanging

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi said FIFA has failed his team after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Egypt left Team Melli relying on results elsewhere to secure a historic place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.

Iran appeared to have sealed victory and automatic qualification when Shoja Khalilzadeh found the net deep into stoppage time, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review. Moments later, Saeid Ezatolahi struck the crossbar as Amir Ghalenoei's side settled for a third consecutive draw in Group G.

Egypt progressed to the last 32 alongside Belgium, while Iran must now wait to discover whether they advance as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Egypt struck first through Mahmoud Saber after just five minutes before Ramin Rezaeian restored parity nine minutes later. Earlier, Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir had denied Taremi from the penalty spot in a match that swung dramatically until the final whistle.

Speaking after the match, Taremi renewed his criticism of FIFA and tournament organizers, saying Iran had been left to deal with logistical and travel problems throughout the competition.

"We always complain about these things since the beginning, it's a disaster World Cup. A disaster," the Olympiacos striker said.

"As professional players in a professional competition, it's not right... it's not fair... if it's fair for FIFA, okay good for them. But it's not fair. Who wants to help us... no one helps. No one."

Taremi also questioned why promises made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino had not materialized.

"[FIFA president Gianni] Infantino came to [our locker room] the first game [against New Zealand] and said we will solve every problem here, but actually FIFA did nothing."

Taremi’s criticism comes as the US has not issued visas for several staff and managers of Team Melli. It had issued limited visas for the team members, forcing them to leave the country right after their first two matches. Furthermore, Iran’s Football Federation reported that the team faced delays in their past two departures at Los Angeles airport because the US authorities had stopped team members, including Taremi, for questioning.

Asked whether he believed tournament organizers would prefer Iran to be eliminated, the captain replied: "We have to fight against everything here. I don't know if people want [that] or not but as we see it by our perspective, yeah, they are like that I think."

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei echoed his captain's frustrations, saying the United States' "behavior towards us has been really terrible and we hope the world will be aware of that."

Despite the disappointment, Taremi insisted Iran had not given up hope.

"I feel sad but we have hope," he said.

"We always do our best. We play for our people. We want them to be happy because we want to bring the joy."

He added: "We want to send a message of peace for the people in Iran, outside of Iran, for FIFA, for everyone. But there is no peace about the others to us."

Iran's players also left a handwritten message in the dressing room, thanking supporters and stressing that "fair play is not just a line in football's rules. It is the soul of the game."

How Iran can still reach the Round of 32

Despite finishing third in Group G with three points, Iran remains in contention for a first-ever World Cup knockout appearance.

Team Melli is currently among the leading third-placed teams but must wait for the remaining group-stage fixtures to determine whether it secures one of the eight available places.

According to the qualification scenarios, Iran will advance if results in the remaining groups leave at least four third-placed teams with an inferior record. Among the key outcomes that would favor Iran are either Austria or Algeria winning their meeting, DR Congo failing to beat Uzbekistan, or Ghana avoiding defeat against Croatia.

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