Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has criticised the United States’ handling of the FIFA World Cup 2026, accusing the host nation of “bending rules”, “bullying rivals”, and “cheating” amid a series of controversies during the tournament’s knockout stage. His remarks came after Egypt’s dramatic 3-2 defeat against defending champions Argentina in the Round of 16, a match that sparked debate over refereeing decisions and the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology.
In a post on social media platform X, Pezeshkian alleged that the US government’s conduct as World Cup host reflected its broader foreign policy approach. He claimed that Iran rejected what he described as unfair practices and said his country would continue to defend its interests. The comments added a political dimension to the football tournament, with Iran linking sporting controversies to wider disagreements with Washington.
The controversy involving Egypt centred on a second-half goal by Mostafa Ziko that was ruled out following an on-field VAR review. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan criticised the decision and accused FIFA of favouring Argentina and its captain Lionel Messi. During the match, Hassan was also seen making an “X” gesture associated with FIFA’s anti-racism reporting symbol, which allows players and officials to signal concerns over alleged discriminatory incidents.
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The Egypt-Argentina dispute followed another controversy involving US President Donald Trump and FIFA’s disciplinary decisions. Trump had claimed that he contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the red card suspension of US forward Folarin Balogun ahead of the team’s Round of 16 match against Belgium. Balogun had initially received an automatic one-match suspension after being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA later suspended the ban under its disciplinary regulations, allowing him to play.
The decision to allow Balogun to participate drew criticism from the Belgian football federation, which challenged his eligibility. UEFA also described FIFA’s decision as difficult to understand and unjustified. Balogun eventually featured in the match, where the United States were defeated 4-1 by Belgium, adding further discussion around tournament regulations and disciplinary procedures.
Iran’s own World Cup campaign ended on June 28 after the team finished third in Group G following three draws against Egypt, New Zealand, and Belgium. After the tournament, Pezeshkian praised Iran’s players for their effort and commitment, saying that determination and preparation were important factors for future success. The latest criticism from Tehran highlights how football events can become intertwined with broader political tensions on the international stage.
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