"The whole world is dancing!" - Iran rejoices after USMNT's World Cup exit
Iran's Football Federation has celebrated the USMNT's exit from the World Cup, calling it a "humiliating defeat for politics."
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: امین فداکار
The USMNT's World Cup journey ended abruptly following a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, triggering celebratory scenes in Tehran. Iran’s football authorities wasted no time in labeling the result a victory for the sport over what they termed political maneuvering.
An official statement from the Iran Football Federation declared that "the whole world is dancing to celebrate politics’ humiliating defeat by football." This sharp retort followed earlier comments from US official Markwayne Mullin, who had openly expressed delight at Iran's elimination earlier in the tournament.
The federation also condemned what they described as "inhumane and unprofessional treatment" of their delegation during the tournament, including the forced relocation of their base camp and the denial of visas for 11 key staff members, including federation president Mehdi Taj.
Tensions were further inflamed by the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun. Despite receiving a red card in the previous round, the striker was cleared to play in the Seattle clash after FIFA suspended his automatic ban following a request from Donald Trump. The decision drew global criticism and accusations of favoritism.
Following their fourth goal, the Belgian players mocked the situation by mimicking the 'Trump dance'. With this loss, all three co-hosts—the US, Canada, and Mexico—have been eliminated, leaving the tournament without a home representative. Focus for the USMNT now shifts to the future of head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose tenure remains uncertain.