FM Takes Aim at US Official for Celebrating Iran's World Cup Elimination with 'Happy Dance'
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi slammed US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin after he had done a "happy dance" over Iran's elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Araqchi on Tuesday assailed Mullin over comments he made about the Iranian football team’s exit from the FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.“‘Mission accomplished’ Mr Mullin,” the foreign minister wrote on X. “You also accomplished something else: proving to the world that you have no business hosting an international tournament. Your conduct has been a masterclass for how to squander the dignity that comes with being a host,” he added.
The Iranian diplomat attached a news headline which claims that Mullin did a “happy dance” when Iran was knocked out of the tournament’s group stage.His provocative remarks came after Iran had spent the tournament based in the Mexican city of Tijuana because repeated US visa denials and logistical restrictions prevented the team from using its original training camp in Arizona.Several members of the Iranian team were also refused visas, forcing Team Melli to train in Mexico and travel across the border for matches in the US.
Iran's Football Federation also denounced Mullin's remarks, saying they confirmed what the team had experienced throughout the tournament.“Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks,” the federation said.It added, “These remarks once again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organizing a global sporting event.”The federation also stressed that Mullin's public celebration of Iran's elimination reflected “a level of pettiness” rather than the performance of the Iranian team and reinforced the view that the delegation had never been genuinely welcomed by the host country.
09:45 - 10 تیر 1405
