SEATTLE — Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed disappointment over the conditions his team faced during the tournament and the unfortunate turn of events in the closing moments of their 1-1 draw with Egypt. His team had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside and witnessed Saeid Ezatolahi’s header hit the crossbar in injury time.
With their base camp relocated from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Iran entered the match knowing that a victory would secure their advancement to the knockout stage as runners-up in Group G behind Belgium.
– Marcotti: Iran awaits World Cup fate after another stroke of bad luck against Egypt
In a high-stakes match in Seattle, Shoja Khalilzadeh believed he had achieved one of the most notable goals in Iranian football history with a shot that found the net in the 93rd minute. However, the goal was overturned due to a narrow offside, as the front part of his foot was slightly ahead of the last defender.
Khalilzadeh celebrated exuberantly, removing his shirt and being surrounded by his teammates, sporting a pair of novelty sunglasses in what seemed a moment of triumph as they believed they had taken a 2-1 lead. For a brief time, Iran felt they had qualified for the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time.
Nevertheless, the late VAR review meant that Egypt progressed from the group stage for the first time in their history, leaving Iran waiting to see if they would qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. Egypt’s next challenge will be against Australia in the round of 32.
“There are rules based on technology that I accept,” Ghalenoei remarked during a news conference. “However, I feel immense frustration about our bad luck. A goal ruled out by mere millimeters—that’s the reality. But it stings.”
“I used to think of us as an oppressed team,” he continued, referring to travel restrictions that affected the Iranian squad during the tournament and visa issues that prevented some staff members from joining them. “Now, I realize we are also an unlucky team.”
Due to the limitations imposed, the Iranian team could only fly into the U.S. from their base in Mexico for their first two World Cup matches, arriving the day before facing both New Zealand and Belgium before heading back immediately.
After the opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles, Ghalenoei claimed his team was potentially “the most oppressed team in the entire World Cup.”
It was only two days before the match against Egypt that the team received clearance to enter the U.S., as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security to ABC News.
“After a match, your body physiologically goes through a recovery period,” he noted. “Being forced to quickly get on a plane for a three-hour flight back affects that recovery. This is the third instance of such treatment towards us. Their approach has been harsh, and I hope the world becomes aware of it. All of this has taken a toll on us, especially considering we are enduring a war back home.”
Ghalenoei added, “Despite the challenges, we managed to show our abilities. The world has come to recognize Iran and our team.”
He once again called on FIFA to address the treatment they received from the host nation. “I understand that [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino is doing his utmost to alleviate our issues, but the host nation isn’t treating us fairly. I urge FIFA not to allow such situations to arise in the future and ask Mr. Infantino to take a stand.”
In a heartfelt message to his nation and to the martyrs of his country, he reflected, “What these young individuals have achieved will be etched in history.”
– Report: Egypt advances while Iran waits after VAR denies late winner
– World Cup VAR review: Reasons for the offside ruling on Iran’s late goal
The Iranian team has had to follow what White House FIFA task force head Andrew Giuliani noted as rules stemming from the ongoing conflict, which aligned with FIFA’s regulations for team travel. FIFA’s 2026 World Cup regulations specify in Article 18.3 that “each team should travel from its base camp to the match venue the day before matchday (MD‑1) and, in exceptional circumstances, on MD‑2, returning to their base camp after the match (on MD/MD+1).”
Currently, Iran ranks sixth among third-placed teams, with a goal difference of 0. The four worst performers among the 12 third-placed teams will not advance to the knockout stage.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this story.