Iran captain Taremi blasts Fifa over 'disaster' World Cup after VAR wipes out stoppage-time winner against Egypt

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi launched a scathing attack on Fifa and the organisation of the 2026 World Cup after his side were denied a guaranteed place in the knockout phase when Shojae Khalilzadeh’s stoppage-time goal was ruled out for offside by VAR in a 0-0 draw against Egypt in Seattle on Friday.

The disallowed goal left Iran sweating on their fate as a potential best-ranked third-place qualifier, sitting sixth in that table with the top eight advancing. The final three groups complete their group-stage fixtures on Saturday, meaning Iran face a 24-hour wait to learn whether they progress. Egypt, meanwhile, secured second place in Group G and will face Australia in the last-32 in Dallas, while group winners Belgium — who thrashed New Zealand 5-1 — will meet South Korea.

Taremi’s frustration extended well beyond the VAR decision. Iran have been forced to operate from a base in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament due to restrictions on their US visas, and the squad were again required to leave Seattle by midnight after the match — leaving almost no time for recovery.

“We have to beg. We always complain about these things since the beginning. It’s a disaster — the World Cup, a disaster,” Taremi said. “They have to solve every problem here, but unfortunately, they couldn’t solve this since the beginning. Mr Infantino came to our changing room in the first game and he said ‘it’s just the beginning’, but the group stage finishes tomorrow.”

The striker, who won and then missed a first-half penalty against Egypt, pointed to the absence of Iran’s logistics staff — also unable to obtain visas — as evidence of a broader failure by football’s governing body.

“We don’t have our logistics people here, they don’t have a visa. How is it possible that we always have to travel to Tijuana?” he said. “As professional players, in a professional competition, it’s not right. Without recovery, without nothing — it’s not fair.”

Taremi called directly on Fifa president Gianni Infantino to intervene, particularly if Iran advance to the round of 32, where they are currently scheduled to face Switzerland in Vancouver on Thursday.

“I think Infantino can do more to sort this problem out,” Taremi said. “We play for our people. 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 for us.”