Iran Urges FIFA to Address World Cup Treatment by US

Iran has formally requested that FIFA investigate the United States' conduct during the 2026 World Cup, alleging "really terrible" treatment. The Iranian Football Federation submitted a complaint to FIFA on December 5, 2026, detailing several grievances related to their group stage matches. The federation's president, Mehdi Taj, stated that the complaint was lodged to address what they perceived as unfair and disrespectful actions by the US team and its supporters. While the specific details of the alleged mistreatment were not fully disclosed in the initial report, the complaint is understood to focus on incidents that occurred during and around Iran's three group stage matches. Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup concluded after the group stage, and the team is currently awaiting the outcome of other matches to determine if they will advance to the knockout rounds. The Iranian Football Federation hopes that FIFA will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and take appropriate action to ensure fair play and respect among all participating nations in future tournaments. This complaint marks a significant diplomatic move within the context of international football, highlighting tensions that can arise between competing nations.