Iran’s World Cup campaign ended not on the pitch but in a Tijuana hotel lobby, where players and staff watched Austria’s stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria extinguish their hopes of a historic knockout berth. Moments earlier, a late winner against Egypt had been ruled out for a marginal offside, leaving them with a third consecutive draw and a precarious wait on other results. The 1-1 stalemate in Seattle, combined with earlier draws against New Zealand and Belgium, meant Team Melli finished the group stage unbeaten yet eliminated on goal difference among the third-placed sides.

The on-field drama was inseparable from an off-field saga that began months before the tournament. After US airstrikes on Iran in February, the team abandoned plans to base itself in Arizona and relocated to the Mexican border city of Tijuana. American authorities denied visas to 11 federation officials, restricted the squad’s entry to the United States to the eve of matches, and required immediate return to Mexico after each fixture. Coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi publicly stated the team was not treated like other participants, and the Iranian football federation described the logistical constraints as a series of decisions that undermined the sense of fairness.

On Tuesday, the team departed Tijuana to an ovation from more than 150 Mexican fans who chanted “Iran, my brother, you are now Mexican!” and sought autographs. A handwritten note left behind thanked the city for “respect, humanity, and dignity” and declared Mexico “our second home and our second team.” The message, also shared on the team’s WhatsApp channel, posed a fundamental question: “Did every team truly compete under equal conditions and equal professional standards?” It did not name FIFA or US authorities directly but pointed to “logistical arrangements and circumstances” that reinforced an impression of inequity, including the disallowed goal on the final matchday.

The note’s tone sharpened in response to remarks from Washington. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told a security briefing that he “danced a happy dance” upon Iran’s elimination and claimed almost half of the non-playing delegation had ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Iranian team countered that his celebration “reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team” and noted that those rejoicing at their exit were the same who had celebrated the suffering of innocent Iranians.

As the squad flew home to a nation still embroiled in conflict, its parting statement sought to place the tournament in a longer historical frame. “World Cups come to an end. Administrators change. But civilisations such as Iran, Egypt, and Mexico — built upon truth, respect, and human dignity — endure throughout history.” The words ensured that Iran’s first World Cup appearance on North American soil would be remembered as much for the questions it raised as for the results on the pitch.