Iran’s Foreign Ministry has praised the national football team after its hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stage ended, saying the players had endured “inhumane and unprecedented pressures”.
“Neither did restrictions become an excuse, nor did pressures lead to submission,” ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a post on X.
His comments came after Austria’s match against Algeria confirmed Iran’s elimination, ending the team’s bid to reach the knockout phase for the first time.
Iran’s campaign unfolded under heavy dicriminatory pressure by the US authroties on the team including visa restrictions disrupting the team’s movement during the tournament.
Iran were based in cohost Mexico but had to travel into the US for all three group-stage matches. US authorities required the team to enter the country within 24 hours of each game and leave on the same day.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has described the US government’s treatment of his squad as “really terrible“.
