U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin publicly celebrated the Iranian national team's elimination from the World Cup, stating he was "glad they're done and they're not coming back." This declaration came after a tournament run marked by repeated U.S. state interference and restrictions against the Iranian squad.
The Iranian team departed North America on Tuesday, concluding a World Cup campaign that saw them barely miss advancing beyond the group stage. Their exit followed a series of decisions and logistical arrangements by U.S. authorities that the team itself described as undermining "the sense of fairness."
Imperial Garrison's Hand
From the outset, the U.S. state apparatus imposed significant hurdles. U.S. officials denied Iran's request to move its matches to Mexico and relocated its base camp from Arizona. Key members of the Iranian team's staff were refused U.S. visas, hindering their participation.
The U.S. also rejected Iran’s request for early travel to the U.S. two days before its Los Angeles matches, though some restrictions were later relaxed for their final game. Mullin, during a World Cup security briefing, asserted that many individuals Iran requested to travel with the team were associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, justifying the state's actions.
In response, the Iranian team issued a statement condemning Mullin’s remarks as a lack of commitment to international law and basic hosting standards. They stated his open celebration of their elimination reflected a "level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage."
The Human Cost
Despite the political pressures, the Iranian players used their platform to highlight the human cost of imperial conflict. They wore pins with the number "168" when they first arrived in Mexico, referencing the number of people, mostly children, killed in a missile strike at the start of the war with the U.S. and Israel. This attack was likely launched by the U.S.
In their locker room at Los Angeles Stadium, the team left a note calling for peace "among all nations" and using the hashtags #168 and #minab, the name of the elementary school targeted. Sherry Ghaemi, an Iranian living in Los Angeles, called their stand for the young victims "honorable."
Members of the Iranian diaspora were divided on whether supporting the team implied backing Iran’s theocratic government, which many oppose. Mohammad Modarres, 38, noted the double standard, stating, "You don’t see someone screaming at (U.S. soccer star) Christian Pulisic for something Trump does."
Amidst the state-imposed hostility, the team found solidarity in Mexico. Tijuana residents embraced Team Melli, chanting, “Irán, hermano, ya eres Mexicano!” Arely Ramírez, a Tijuana resident, observed that Iran was "taking home the best of our country, and this city, which is the way in which outsiders are received."
State Rhetoric and Reality
Meanwhile, Germany's World Cup campaign ended in another early exit, losing to Paraguay on penalties. This marked their first time surviving the group stage since winning the trophy 12 years ago in 2014. Germany had hoped for a fifth World Cup title to restore national pride.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich expressed the team's disappointment, stating, "We messed it up." He added, "All of us who were on the pitch should feel that, rather than looking to blame someone else. We blew it." Coach Julian Nagelsmann faced criticism for contentious calls, including recalling veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was arguably at fault for Ecuador’s winning goal.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attempted to spin the defeat on social media, writing, “What a match, @DFB_Team! You thrilled our country with your commitment and team spirit at this World Cup. We’re proud of you.” This hollow praise was quickly mocked on X, with many users questioning "which match" he was referring to, highlighting the disconnect between state-sanctioned narratives and lived reality.