American minister. I danced with great joy after expelling Iran.

Iran’s withdrawal from the 2026 World Cup sparked widespread reactions after US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullen expressed his delight at Iran’s exit from the tournament, sparking controversy amid political tensions between the two countries.

According to the American magazine “Sports Business Journal”, Mullen said at the meeting in Washington that he was “satisfied with the departure of the Iranian national team”, adding:

The American minister continued. “I was so happy when they got their visas and we told them they could leave the US, and I probably sang a couple of songs and did a little happy dance.”

Mullen claimed that about half of the people Iran sought to take to the United States had direct ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, further complicating the Iranian mission’s entry procedures.

The end of Iran’s journey in the tournament came after an exceptional participation, surrounded by a number of logistical and political obstacles, as the Iranian national team was banned from entering the United States for a long time, forcing it to move its training camp to Mexico, even though all the group stage matches were played on American soil.

Entry visas were issued to all members of the mission only a few days before the start of the tournament, while strict restrictions were placed on the team, including being allowed to stay in the United States for no more than 24 hours on match days only.

In light of these circumstances, Iran filed a complaint against FIFA, claiming that it was “the most ill-treated team in the World Cup, given that its participation took place under exceptional circumstances.”