Iran team mocks USA's elimination from the World Cup: "The world dances"
The defeat of the United States against Belgium, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, had immediate repercussions outside the sporting world.
After the defeat, the Iranian Football Federation took advantage of the Belgians' defeat of the Americans to publish a provocation on social media, bringing to the World Cup the political rivalry that has marked the relationship between the two countries for decades.
"Brief message from the national team's press office: the world celebrates with dance the humiliating defeat of politics for football," wrote the department.
The country's federation also published an image referring to the results of the matches between Iran and Belgium and the USA and Belgium, highlighting that the Iranians had the better of the dispute with the Europeans.
The communications department of the Iranian national football team wrote in a brief message: "Now the whole world is celebrating the humiliating defeat of politics for football." - Reproduction/FFIRI
According to the Federation, "the message was issued in response to the ridiculous statements made by the US Secretary of Homeland Security following the elimination of the Iranian team from the World Cup and the direct interference of the American government in the refereeing decision of the match between the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina."
Understand the provocation
The provocation reflects the history of rivalry between Iran and the United States, which has intensified in recent years.
Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has resumed a policy of hardening against Tehran, with new economic sanctions, criticism of the Iranian government and speeches in defense of greater pressure on the country. The tense atmosphere ended up reaching the World Cup as well.
The reflections of this relationship appeared during the competition. Due to issues linked to restrictions imposed by North American authorities, the Iranian team was unable to remain in the United States between matches and had to maintain its base in Tijuana, Mexico.
As a result, the delegation was forced to cross the border after each game played on American soil, facing an exhausting travel routine that generated complaints from the squad.
The United States said goodbye to the World Cup after being beaten 4-1 by Belgium in the round of 16. Iran was eliminated in the group stage, ending its participation without being able to advance to the knockout stage.
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Source: CNN