Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has taken aim at FIFA for trying “everything possible to eliminate” his side, as they wait to learn their round of 32 fate.
The side’s time at the World Cup has been far from simple, with visa and travel issues due to political conflicts between Iran and host nation the United States overshadowing their displays on the field consistently.
Ramin Rezaeian (L) and Mehdi Taremi (R) of Iran react after the 1-1 draw Alex Livesey
An epic 1-1 draw to Egypt on Saturday meant Iran would finish in third in their group as per the new head-to-head preference when it comes to group standings.
With one day of group fixtures remaining, Iran have to travel back to their team base in Tijuana, Mexico before learning if they are through to the knockouts.
As of the time of publication, Iran is the sixth-best third-place team. The nation will learn if they have qualified for the knockouts on Sunday afternoon (AEST).
The emotions of coming in third and having to wait a little longer were clear in the tone of Taremi, who bluntly declared this World Cup has been “a disaster”.
“It’s a disaster World Cup,” he told reporters after the 1-1 draw to Egypt.
“I mean, FIFA, they have to solve every problem here but unfortunately, they could not solve it since the beginning.
“Mr Infantino came to our changing room after the first game and said ‘it’s just the beginning’ … but the group stage finishes tomorrow.
“We don’t have our logistics people here, they don’t have a visa. How is it possible we always have to travel from Tijuana without recovery?
“We love the people in Tijuana. We love Mexico. They are humble people and we love them but as a professional player in a professional competition, it’s not right.
“Our opinion is it’s not fair. Is it fair for FIFA? OK, good to them. But it’s not fair. Who wants to help us? Who? If they want us to be out, then OK – let’s get out.
“We don’t have recovery or any logistics people here to help us. We always complain about these things but no one helps, no one.”
Taremi went on to recognise how “small details” can significantly impact a game, with VAR ultimately cruelling the team twice in the group stage.
Iran manager Ami Ghalenoei, however, was not as generous when it came to reflecting on the intervention of the VAR team three times in this tournament.
“Technology is justice,” he said, “but, I’m upset about our bad luck.”
“What these young Iranian national team players have done should be recorded in history. Why? Because the host treated us in the worst possible way.”
Still, despite the team’s treatment over the course of the tournament, Taremi has high hopes that Iran will secure a place in the round of 32.
“We have hope and good energy in the dressing room,” he ended.
“We will look forward and see what happens tomorrow. We did our best over 90 minutes. We are products of ourselves.”
If they qualify for the knockouts, Iran will come up against Switzerland on July 2 in Vancouver, Canada – that is if they remain the sixth-best third-placed team.
Players react after their draw to Egypt. Richard Heathcote
Rouzbeh Cheshmi said it would be a “dream come true” to advance.
“We’re here to make our history, too,” he said.
“If our dream comes true, thank God. If not, we are proud of our game and our players because of how we did the game.”