Iran Football Team Expresses Gratitude to Tijuana After World Cup Experience
Iran's Heartfelt Thanks to Tijuana
Tehran [Iran], July 1: The Iranian football team extended its heartfelt appreciation to the residents of Tijuana on Tuesday, acknowledging their warm hospitality during the World Cup. The team referred to Mexico as "our second home and our second team" following their exit in the group stage.
Due to political tensions between Tehran and Washington, Iran had to abandon its initial plans to set up camp in Tucson, Arizona, just before the tournament commenced, leading to their relocation to Tijuana, Mexico.
The squad encountered strict travel limitations, with players only allowed to enter the United States a day prior to their matches. Fortunately, U.S. authorities later relaxed these restrictions, permitting the team to arrive two days before their last group-stage match in Seattle. Nevertheless, they were still required to return to Tijuana after the game.
In a message shared on their WhatsApp channel, the team expressed, "True hosting is about respect, humanity, and dignity. We will always remember the kindness shown by the people of Tijuana," as reported by a news agency.
They added, "From now on, Mexico will be more than just a host nation; it will be our second home and our second team." Earlier in the tournament, the team also left a note in their locker room at SoFi Stadium, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality after hosting two of their Group G matches.
Despite these gestures of gratitude, head coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi voiced their concerns regarding the tournament's logistical arrangements, claiming that Iran was not treated equally compared to other teams.
The Iranian Football Federation echoed these sentiments, raising concerns about competitive fairness due to the travel restrictions imposed during the tournament.
In their statement, the team reflected on their World Cup journey with pride but also questioned, "Did every team truly compete under equal conditions and professional standards?" They did not directly mention FIFA or U.S. authorities but referred to "a series of decisions and logistical arrangements that compromised fairness" throughout their campaign.
The federation highlighted a pivotal moment in their elimination, noting that Iran was denied a stoppage-time goal against Egypt in their final Group G match due to a controversial offside call, which would have secured their advancement to the Round of 32.
They stated, "For us, Fair Play is not merely a slogan; it embodies the essence of football. This tournament has shown us the gap between inspiring words and genuine actions." However, they also praised Egypt.
"World Cups may conclude, and administrators may change, but civilizations like Iran, Egypt, and Mexico—rooted in truth, respect, and human dignity—will endure through history," the statement concluded.