Despite missing out on a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, Iran’s national football team received a heartfelt welcome from hundreds of supporters upon returning to Tehran. Fans gathered at Mehrabad International Airport to celebrate the players’ efforts and show appreciation for their memorable tournament campaign.
The crowd enthusiastically chanted “Iran, Iran!” while waving national flags, wearing Team Melli jerseys, and displaying the country’s colors. The atmosphere became even more emotional as the team’s flight arrived from Turkiye, where the squad had traveled after leaving their tournament base in Mexico.
As the players stepped off the aircraft, military musicians performed the national anthem, creating a proud and emotional homecoming. Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who delivered outstanding performances throughout the competition, thanked supporters for standing by the team despite their disappointment.
“We apologize for not qualifying and bringing more joy to our people,” Beiranvand said while addressing the fans.
Defender Ramin Rezaeian also reflected on the team’s campaign. He believed Iran had the quality to progress further but said travel difficulties and restrictions made their challenge much harder.
Iran finished third in their group after drawing all three matches. Their hopes of reaching the knockout stage remained alive until the final group fixtures. A late goal initially appeared to secure victory against Egypt, but a VAR review ruled it out for offside. The team then relied on results elsewhere, but Senegal claimed the final qualifying place thanks to a superior goal difference.
The tournament was also affected by political tensions. Several Iranian staff members were reportedly denied US visas, forcing the squad to relocate its training base from Arizona to Tijuana. The team also faced strict travel limitations throughout the competition, making preparations more difficult.
Supporters remained proud despite the outcome. Many believed the players gave everything for their country under challenging circumstances. Some fans also expressed hope that introducing more young talent in future tournaments will help Iran achieve even greater success on the international stage.
