Donald Trump ally 'so happy' that Iran are out of World Cup: 'I did a happy dance'

Donald Trump ally Markwayne Mullin said that he is "so happy" that Iran are out of the World Cup.

Iran exited the competition despite not losing a game, drawing all three of their group stage matches, which was not enough to progress.

Mullin, who is the US Department of Homeland Security Secretary, shared that he was "glad they're done, and they're not coming back".

He said: "I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the US soil, and I might've sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance."

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Iran made multiple complaints during their World Cup campaign, with their coach, Amir Ghalenoei, saying his team were the "most oppressed" at the tournament.

The players were relocated to a training base in Tijuana in May, having originally been due to be based in Tucson, Arizona.

Following their three matches in the US, the team had to leave immediately for Mexico.

Asked about that, Mullin said: "That was just an agreement we had - to just go ahead and let them go.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS

• Man Utd open door to Marcus Rashford return as fresh talks change everything
• 'I returned Jannik Sinner's serve at Wimbledon thanks to an AI robot'
• Gary Neville blasts Thomas Tuchel over England World Cup issue before DR Congo clash

"The game was over, let them get back to the hotel, their base camp where they're at.

"They're more comfortable there. That was just an agreement we worked out with Fifa before the games started."

Iran's striker Mehdi Taremi heavily criticised Fifa and the way the tournament was organised, labelling the World Cup as a "disaster".

He told reporters: "It's a disaster World Cup, a disaster. I mean, Fifa, they have to solve every problem here, but unfortunately they could not solve it since the beginning.

"Mr Infantino [The Fifa President] came to our changing room after the first game against New Zealand and said: 'It's just the beginning', but the group stage finishes tomorrow.

"We don't have our logistic people here - they don't have a visa.

"How is it possible we always have to travel from Tijuana? We love the people in Tijuana. We love Mexico. They are humble people, and we love them, but as a professional player in a professional competition, it's not right.

"It's not fair. Our opinion is, it's not fair. Is it fair for Fifa? Okay, good to them. But it's not fair.

"Who wants to help us? If they want us to be out, then okay, let's get out. But that's not fair.

"We don't have recovery or logistic people to help us. We always complain about these things, but no one helps, no one."

Ghalenoei echoed his striker's comments but praised his players for how they dealt with the challenges.

He said: "To my players and the team, I want to say to them, 'I'm proud of them'. What these young people, these players have done, it should be written in history, because the host country treated us very unfairly.

"Despite all of these problems, we've been able to perform well, and the world is proud of Iranians and our team. I urge FIFA: 'Don't let hosts treat players and teams the same way in future World Cups'."

Win two tickets to a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final. ExpressVPN are giving one lucky Friend or Member the chance to experience football's biggest tournament live, with flights and accommodation covered by GB News. Entries close 30 June. ENTER HERE.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter