Iran captain comments on World Cup: 'I think FIFA wants to beat us'

Among Iran's team, there is a lot of speculation about their position at the World Cup. Iran, who are now third in Group G following their draw with Egypt, captain Mehdi Taremi says it feels like World Cup hosts FIFA don't want their country.

"This World Cup is an extraordinary one," he told reporters on the pitch. "FIFA needs to solve every problem here, but at the beginning nothing has been done yet. Our system staff are not here, they have not taken visas. When can we come from Tijuana?"

In the match against Egypt, an injury-time goal for Iran that could have been rewarded, Shoja Kahilzadeh's goal was suppressed in a tense encounter. After this, he further expressed his concern.

"We're in a fight against everything here. I can't tell you exactly what people want, but from our point of view... yes, they want us to fail, I think."

The team's coach, Amir Cahiloi, pointed out the reasons why FIFA executive Infante has downplayed his efforts and could not treat them well.

"In future, the country's teams should not be allowed to conduct teams in this manner," he said.

"I am proud of my players and the team. What these young people have achieved should go down in history because we were treated very unfairly by that side," he concluded in his press conference.

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