Iran Calls Mexico 'Second Home' After World Cup Exit
Iran's national football team has expressed deep gratitude to the people of Tijuana, Mexico, describing the country as 'our second home and our second team' following their elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026. The team's statement, published on their WhatsApp channel on Tuesday, highlighted the warm hospitality they received after being forced to relocate their base due to political tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Iran had initially planned to set up camp in Tucson, Arizona, but scrapped those plans shortly before the tournament. The move to Tijuana came with strict travel restrictions: players were initially allowed to enter the United States only a day before their matches. U.S. authorities later eased the rules, permitting Iran to arrive two days ahead of their final group-stage game in Seattle, but the squad was still required to return to Tijuana after each match.
Team's Message of Gratitude
'True hosting is about respect, humanity, and dignity. We will never forget the kindness of the people of Tijuana,' the team said in its message, as reported by Reuters. 'From this day forward, Mexico will always be more than a host nation to us; it will be our second home and our second team.' Earlier in the tournament, Iran also left a note in their locker room at SoFi Stadium, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality after hosting two of the team's Group G matches.
Despite these gestures, head coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi publicly criticized the tournament's logistical arrangements, arguing that Iran had not been treated on an equal footing with other teams. The Iranian Football Federation echoed these concerns in a statement, citing the travel restrictions as a lack of competitive fairness.
Concerns Over Fairness
'We leave this World Cup with pride, but also with one fundamental question: Did every team truly compete under equal conditions and equal professional standards?' the team said. The statement did not directly name FIFA, tournament organizers, or U.S. authorities, but referred to 'a series of decisions, logistical arrangements, and circumstances that undermined the sense of fairness' throughout Iran's campaign.
The federation also highlighted a decisive moment in the team's elimination: Iran was denied a stoppage-time winner against Egypt in their final Group G match after a marginal offside decision. A goal would have secured their place in the Round of 32. 'For us, Fair Play is not a slogan printed on advertising boards; it is the very identity of football. Yet this tournament reminded us that there is still a significant distance between inspiring words and meaningful actions,' the statement said.
Praise for Egypt
Despite the controversial decision, Iran praised Egypt, saying, 'World Cups come to an end. Administrators change. But civilisations such as Iran, Egypt, and Mexico -- built upon truth, respect, and human dignity -- endure through history.'
