Iranian soccer followers obtain their males’s nationwide soccer group upon their return from the 2026 Fifa World Cup, at Tehran’s Mehrabad Worldwide Airport on July 1, 2026. — AFP
TEHRAN: Iran’s disenchanted World Cup squad returned to a a lot hotter welcome at Tehran airport on Wednesday than they skilled on arrival within the US for his or her three group video games.
“Iran, Iran!” a crowd of a number of hundred youngsters, their dad and mom and devoted followers chanted in unison.
Some waved the Iranian nationwide flag whereas others sported bracelets with the nationwide colors or wore the jersey of “Team Melli” as they feted the squad who had gone so near reaching the knockout levels for the primary time.
They completed third within the group, having drawn all three of their matches, however missed out as one of many eight finest third-placed sides on objective distinction.
The keenness reached fever-pitch when it was introduced their flight from Turkiye — they’d flown there first from Mexico, the place they’d been based mostly in the course of the event — had landed.
Because the gamers descended from the plane they have been additionally serenaded by musicians in navy uniform enjoying the nationwide anthem.
Lots of supporters brandished images of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who turned a nationwide hero for his efficiency within the scoreless draw with Belgium.
“We apologise in front of you, for failing to qualify and to bring you happiness,” a contrite Beiranvand advised the followers on arriving at Mehrabad airport.
His teammate, defender Ramin Rezaeian voiced a typical grievance amongst the Iranian World Cup entourage that however for US immigration restrictions they might have made historical past.
“We deserved to go further, but they really made the task more complicated for us,” he mentioned.
The sentiment was shared by fan Mona Banisafa, who was among the many crowd that turned out to welcome the group dwelling.
“The national team players tried their best, but it didn’t work out. We came to thank them,” the 42-year-old mentioned.
“One hundred percent, if the conditions had been a little better, they would have definitely achieved a better result.”
‘Our soccer deserves higher’
The Iranian group had gone via a rollercoaster of feelings within the remaining part of group matches.
Members of Iran’s males´s nationwide soccer group look onduring their reception at Tehran’s Mehrabad Worldwide Airport on July 1, 2026 upon their return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. — AFP
First they thought they’d grabbed a late winner in opposition to Egypt — and automated qualification — however their celebrations have been reduce quick after VAR deemed there was offside.
Having completed third of their group they needed to wait to see in the event that they made the eight finest in that class and proceed for the primary time of their historical past to the knockout levels.
It appeared to be on when Algeria scored to take the lead in time added on in opposition to Austria of their Group J match.
Nevertheless, the Austrians dashed their desires by equalising six minutes into time added on.
Senegal took the eighth and remaining spot due to their superior objective distinction — plus two to zero.
Iran’s event was overshadowed from the beginning by the continued struggle between the nation and the US and Israel.
They moved their World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana after a dozen of their employees members had their US visas denied.
Iran nonetheless performed all their matches in the US however have been sad at journey restrictions positioned on them by American authorities.
That included not being allowed to reach within the US two days earlier than their matches.
They have been allowed to do this earlier than their remaining recreation in opposition to Egypt, however nonetheless needed to return to Mexico straight after.
Scholar Nima Naseri, who additionally turned up on the airport on Wednesday, mentioned that the group was “really beloved”, however could not assist however specific some misgivings in regards to the end result.
“They were relatively good, but our football deserves better… We deserve to advance atop the group,” the 19-year-old mentioned.
“The conditions of course played their part, but we could have benefitted from younger players.”
