Iran Thanks Tijuana, Questions World Cup Fairness After Group Exit

Iran's soccer team, eliminated in the World Cup group stage, publicly thanked the people of Tijuana, Mexico, for their support.

"Mexico will always be our second home and our second team," the team stated via WhatsApp. Political tensions with the U.S. forced Iran to relocate its World Cup base from Arizona to Tijuana just before the tournament.

The team faced significant logistical challenges, including last-minute travel restrictions. Coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi criticized the arrangements, suggesting Iran was not treated equally.

The squad's statement raised questions about competitive fairness, referencing "a series of decisions" that undermined the tournament's integrity. This follows a denied injury-time goal against Egypt due to a tight offside call.

Despite the exit, the team expressed pride and praised the civilizations of Iran, Egypt, and Mexico for their enduring values of truth and respect.