US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin revealed his joy over the Iranian national team's elimination from the World Cup, admitting he "danced in celebration" due to the reduced security workload. Speaking at a World Cup security meeting on 29/6, Mullin told Sports Business Journal, "I am very glad they were eliminated and will not return. When we revoked their visas and they left US soil, I probably sang a song or two, even danced in celebration."

Mullin explained that the Iranian team presented the most significant challenges for US officials among all participating nations since the tournament began. This stemmed from heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, leading the US government to impose stringent travel restrictions on the Iranian delegation.

Under these strict measures, the Iranian team had to relocate its base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. They were permitted to enter the US only one or two days before each match and were required to depart immediately after the game concluded. Mullin noted he had to deploy agents to screen Iranian players before their flights from Mexico to the US, a measure requested by the team to prevent them from being held for questioning at immigration upon arrival. He did not specify the exact reason for the mandatory immediate departure, simply stating it was "part of the agreement between the parties, allowing them to leave as quickly as possible."

US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin speaks at the House of Representatives on 25/6. Photo: AP

US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin speaks at the House of Representatives on 25/6. Photo: AP

Adding to the controversy, Mullin reiterated an accusation that nearly half of the Iranian delegation members scheduled to travel to the US had direct ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) vehemently denied this, calling the accusation "false, fabricated, baseless." An FFIRI official sharply criticized Mullin's recent remarks, asserting that they demonstrate US officials' "disrespect for international law or the principles that a host country of a global tournament should adhere to." The official concluded, "His public celebration of Iran's elimination says more about him than about our team."

The Iranian team exited the World Cup in the group stage, having drawn all three of its matches in Group G. They finished 9th among the third-placed teams, missing a spot in the round of 32 after Austria secured a late injury-time goal in their match against Algeria.

Thanh Danh (According to Reuters, Times)