US Homeland Security Secretary Celebrates Iran’s World Cup Exit

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin revealed he celebrated Iran’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup, stating he performed a “happy dance” and sang songs upon hearing the news. Iran’s exit from the tournament was confirmed after they failed to secure a win in their group stage matches, concluding with a draw that saw them eliminated.

Mullin’s remarks, made during a World Cup briefing, have drawn a sharp response from the Iran Football Federation (FFIRI). An FFIRI official criticized Mullin’s comments, suggesting they reveal more about his character than Iran’s performance.

Por que importa

“These remarks once again demonstrate that U.S. officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organizing a global sporting event,” the FFIRI official stated in a communication with The Athletic. “The fact that he openly celebrates Iran’s elimination says far more about him than it does about our team. It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage.”

Mullin’s comments are the latest development in an ongoing dispute between him and the Iranian team. He had previously alleged that members of Iran’s traveling party attempted to bring an individual with alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) into the U.S. The FFIRI officially denied this accusation, labeling it “false, fabricated and entirely baseless.”

Contexto

Iran has voiced complaints regarding their treatment during the World Cup, including a change in training base from Arizona to Mexico and delays in visa processing for staff members. The team was also reportedly required to depart the U.S. shortly after their matches. Mullin, however, dismissed these complaints, citing proximity of their training base to Los Angeles and assurances of screening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The FFIRI official also alluded to broader geopolitical tensions, referencing an air strike in Iran and stating, “When they kill 168 children and lie to the whole world about it, nothing this person says is surprising to any of us.” This statement appears to be a reference to an incident earlier in 2026, which Iranian authorities attributed to a U.S. air strike.

Mullin also reiterated claims that a significant portion of Iran’s support staff were denied visas due to alleged ties to the IRGC, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. He stated that the U.S. accepted only 53 members of Iran’s traveling party, contrasting with typical travel groups of around 120, suggesting the remainder had direct ties to the IRGC.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Official Involved | U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin |
| Event | Iran’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup |
| Mullin’s Reaction | Stated he did a “happy dance” and sang songs |
| Iran Football Federation Response | Criticized Mullin’s comments as petty and unprofessional |
| Previous Dispute | Mullin’s allegations regarding IRGC ties, denied by FFIRI |

This incident highlights the intersection of international politics and major sporting events, with official reactions to team performance extending beyond the field of play. The statements from both U.S. and Iranian officials underscore the complex relationship between the two nations and how sporting events can become platforms for geopolitical commentary. For football fans, it serves as a reminder of the broader contexts in which international tournaments operate.

Source: The Athletic Football – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7407724/2026/06/29/iran-world-cup-exit-markwayne-mullin/

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