The captain of the Iranian national team, Mehdi Taremi, has expressed strong dissatisfaction regarding the organization of the 2026 World Cup. In a statement shared by several media outlets, the striker believes his team is facing numerous logistical and administrative challenges. According to him, these issues go beyond the usual scope of a tournament of this magnitude and directly impact the Iranian team’s preparation, which is already in a crucial group stage for the competition’s future.
Among the main points raised, Taremi mentions the situation of several technical staff members who are still stuck due to visa complications. This forced absence disrupts the team’s daily organization, particularly training schedules and group management. The striker emphasizes that such a context is hardly compatible with the demands of a high-level international competition, where every logistical detail can influence on-field performance.
The player also highlighted the repeated travel imposed on the Iranian team, particularly to Tijuana, without explanations deemed clear enough by the delegation. These frequent trips are seen as an additional burden in an already fragile preparation. However, Taremi wants to distinguish the organizational difficulties from the local hospitality, praising the quality of the locals’ warmth and contrasting it with the administrative complications his team has faced since the start of the competition.
In his remarks, the Iranian striker also calls on FIFA to ensure fair conditions for all participating teams. He believes the sporting integrity of a global tournament relies primarily on equal treatment among teams, especially regarding organization, travel, and access to facilities. For him, these elements must be regulated more rigorously to avoid any disparities that could influence the competition’s outcome.
“THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC WORLD CUP. A DISASTER! IT’S NOT FAIR FOR IRAN 🇮🇷!” 😤💥
As captain of the team, Mehdi Taremi HAS ONCE AGAIN STEPPED UP to explain his country’s situation at the World Cup 👇
“Mr. Infantino came to our locker room during the… pic.twitter.com/zCd1fzzfxG
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 27, 2026
Despite the firmness of his criticisms, Taremi wanted to soften his message by concluding on a note of internal cohesion. He asserts that the Iranian group remains united in the face of difficulties and focused on their sporting objectives. According to him, these obstacles do not undermine the team’s determination to continue the competition with seriousness and ambition, in a context where every match holds vital importance for the tournament’s future.
