As Iran Players Blame FIFA, Iranians Tell National Team: ‘You Were Eliminated Long Ago’

29/06/2026

TEHRAN, Jun 29: Iran’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup has triggered a wave of anger and disappointment among some citizens, with critics saying the team lost public support long before its exit from the tournament.

Messages sent to Iran International following the defeat reflected a deep divide between the national team and parts of Iranian society, with many accusing several players of aligning themselves with the government during a period of political unrest.

Critics argued that the team’s failure was not only a sporting setback but also a reflection of the political choices made by some members of the squad. Several messages singled out defender Ramin Rezaeian, who was criticized over his perceived support for the authorities during pro-government gatherings.

"You were eliminated a long time ago, the moment you turned your backs on those who lost their lives," one viewer wrote in a message directed at Rezaeian.

The backlash followed reports that some national team players attended government-backed gatherings after the US-Israeli attack and the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, where they expressed support for the Islamic Republic. Critics linked those appearances to the team’s declining popularity among sections of the public.

Many Iranians said the relationship between the national team and fans had already deteriorated weeks before the World Cup elimination, arguing that players had distanced themselves from protesters and families demanding justice for those killed during demonstrations.

Some described the defeat as a form of "karma," saying the team had lost the goodwill and emotional backing that accompanied previous World Cup campaigns.

Public Support Fades

Several citizens questioned whether the current squad still represented the Iranian public, pointing to the absence of widespread celebrations and street gatherings that had followed the national team’s performances in earlier international tournaments.

"This is not a national team that represents the people. We are happier to see it lose," one critic wrote.

Others highlighted controversial moments from the tournament, including a disallowed goal by Shoja Khalilzadeh, linking it to his previous comments about dedicating goals to Iran’s leadership.

Rezaeian’s emotional reaction after the elimination also drew criticism, with some commentators saying the outcome reflected the consequences of the political positions taken by certain players.

Comparison With Players Who Supported Protesters

Some supporters contrasted the current squad with former goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri, whom they described as having shown solidarity with anti-government protesters. Mazaheri was reportedly detained after publicly expressing support for demonstrators and has since largely disappeared from public view, according to people familiar with his case.

The criticism highlights the broader challenge facing Iranian athletes, who have increasingly found themselves caught between national representation, government expectations and public demands for political expression.

For many critics, the World Cup defeat was not merely a football result but a symbol of a deeper rupture between parts of Iranian society and a national team they once viewed as a source of collective pride.