Iran President criticizes US bullying at World Cup as reflection of foreign policy

In a post on X on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the United States government's conduct as host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating that it mirrors Washington's long-established foreign policy. He wrote, "The U.S. government's conduct as World Cup host follows its familiar foreign policy: bending rules, humiliating rivals, creating obstacles, and cheating. This is their MAGA playbook. Iran rejects such games. We stand firmly for our rights."

According to Press TV, the United States imposed sweeping travel restrictions on Iran's national football team, forcing the squad to remain at its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament. The team was allowed to enter the US only shortly before matches and was required to leave within 24 hours after each game. No other participating nation faced such restrictions.

Iran strongly condemned both the US and FIFA over the measures, saying the restrictions violated the principles of fairness and equal treatment expected of a World Cup host. The Iranian government has called for international sports bodies to uphold impartiality and ensure that political considerations do not interfere with sporting events.

The incident has further strained relations between Tehran and Washington, with Iranian officials accusing the US of using sports as a political tool. The 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to Mehr News Agency, the report by Press TV added that the restrictions were seen as a continuation of US pressure tactics against Iran.