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Iran calls World Cup treatment a dark point in history

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 12:45 AM

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

Iran calls World Cup treatment a dark point in history

Summary

A leading Iranian football official, Hedayat Mombeyni, criticized Iran's treatment at the World Cup in North America as a "dark point" in its history. The Iranian football federation plans to lodge a complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions that hinder the team's performance. Iran requested to fly to the U.S. for their match against Belgium two days early but had their request denied, despite their opponents traveling sooner. Mombeyni highlighted the contradiction in FIFA's rules regarding travel for teams. The U.S. administration stated that Iran was informed of its travel schedule in advance as the country navigates its relations with Iran amid the World Cup.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Latest Updates

•Hedayat Mombeyni critiques Iran's World Cup treatment.
•Iran plans to formally complain to FIFA.
•Team's travel to the U.S. for a match was restricted.
•Iran aimed to fly early, similar to Belgium's plans.
•U.S. officials maintain the team was aware of travel rules.

Latest Updates

12:45 AMYahoo Sports — Iran's treatment at World Cup 'a dark point' for football: official

What they're saying

"
Iran's treatment at the World Cup in North America is a "dark point" in the history of the competition, a leading Iranian football official said Friday."I believe this will mark a dark point in the World Cup's recent history," Mombeyni added.
— Yahoo Sports

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