Iran taunts Trump administration as Belgium routs USA 4-1 to end home World Cup

Belgium ended the United States’ home World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory, and Iran’s Football Federation wasted no time responding — issuing a pointed statement directed at the Trump administration in the immediate aftermath.

The USMNT’s elimination drew a swift reaction from an Iran football spokesperson, who said: “Now the whole world is dancing to celebrate politics’ humiliating defeat by football.” The remarks were a direct counter to US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who had publicly celebrated Iran’s own group-stage exit earlier in the tournament.

Speaking at a briefing in Washington, Mullin said he did a “happy dance” when Iran failed to qualify for the knockout rounds, adding: “I’m just glad they’re done, and they’re not coming back. I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave US soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance.”

The diplomatic tension between the two countries had simmered throughout the tournament. Iran was originally scheduled to set up a base camp in Arizona but was forced to relocate to Mexico. The squad was only permitted to travel to fixtures on US soil one day before each match and required to depart within hours of the final whistle. Eleven members of Iran’s staff — including federation president Mehdi Taj — were refused visas by US authorities.

The Iran Football Federation had already responded to Mullin’s comments ahead of the USA’s final group match, stating: “Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks. These remarks once again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation.”

Belgium’s victory was not without its own controversy. The Belgians had raised objections over the USMNT’s use of forward Folarin Balogun, who was permitted to play despite a red-card ban originally issued by FIFA. Belgium’s manager also addressed the situation directly after Balogun approached him following the match.

Iran, for their part, exited in the group stage despite going unbeaten — drawing all three of their matches — and maintained throughout the tournament that they had been treated unfairly by the host nation.