Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticized FIFA, calling the 2026 World Cup a logistical disaster following a 1-1 draw with Egypt.
In a chat with reporters, he condemned the unfair conditions, citing mandatory grueling commutes between their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, and US match locations, missing recovery staff, and ongoing visa issues for key federation officials.
Read Also:World Cup 2026: It’s Victory Or Nothing –Sibo Speaks Ahead Ghana Vs Croatia
He directly targeted football’s governing body, stating that FIFA had failed to solve their systemic tournament problems since day one.
“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.”
“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.
Read Also:World Cup 2026: Uzoenyi Hails African Teams, Backs Continent’s Push For Global Football Supremacy
“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.”
