Overview
- Iran finished third in Group J after three draws — 2-2 with New Zealand, 0-0 with Belgium, and 1-1 with Egypt — and failed to reach the knockout round.
- Their elimination was sealed when Austria and Algeria played to a 3-3 draw in stoppage time on Saturday, with Riyad Mahrez scoring a go-ahead goal followed moments later by an Austrian equalizer.
- Players and coach publicly blamed marginal calls and unlucky moments, citing a missed penalty by Mehdi Taremi and multiple goals ruled out for offside that they say cost them wins.
- The team’s preparation was disrupted by U.S. visa denials and short entry windows that forced Iran to base itself in Tijuana and travel into the United States for matches.
- After elimination the Iran football federation thanked Tijuana for its hospitality while critics said the campaign will increase scrutiny of host-nation visa policies, accreditation rules, and tournament operations.