World Cup 2026: 'Who wants to help us?', Iran captain's desperate message denounces logistical 'disaster'

Iran's World Cup captain Mehdi Taremi has voiced strong criticism regarding the logistical challenges faced by his team during the tournament in the United States. Following a draw against Egypt, Taremi expressed frustration over the conditions, calling the experience a "logistical disaster" and appealing to FIFA for intervention.

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Who wants to help us? Who? If they want us to leave, okay, let's leave.

The team's struggles include frequent travel to Tijuana, Mexico, for matches, which Taremi finds unprofessional despite his appreciation for the city and its people. "As professional players, in a professional competition, this is not correct," he stated, questioning the fairness of the arrangements.

Taremi also highlighted the absence of dedicated logistics staff for the Iranian team. He recalled FIFA President Gianni Infantino visiting the locker room after their first match, saying, "It's just the beginning." However, with the group stage nearing its end, the team still lacks essential logistical support.

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FIFA must resolve all the problems here, but unfortunately, they haven't been able to stop them, and this since the beginning.

The captain's plea comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with reports of protests during the national anthem and U.S. strikes against Iran. Taremi's comments suggest a feeling of being unwelcome, as he questioned, "Who wants to help us? Who? If they want us to leave, okay, let's leave."

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How is it possible that we always have to go to Tijuana? We love the Mexicans. We love Tijuana, it's so nice, the people there are so humble. We adore them. But as professional players, in a professional competition, this is not correct.