June 30 – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says he’s “so happy” Iran are out of the World Cup. Iran, predictably, sees it very differently.

Iran’s place at the tournament was in doubt for months after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on the country in February. They made it. And they came close to the last 32 drawing all three group games before a marginal offside call denied them victory over Egypt on the final matchday.

Throughout, the federation complained about its treatment by U.S. authorities. Coach Amir Ghalenoei called his side the “most oppressed” team at the World Cup. On Tuesday, Iran said the experience “undermined the sense of fairness.”

Mullin, speaking at a security briefing, didn’t hold back. “I’m just glad they’re done, and they’re not coming back,” he said. “I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas… I might’ve sung a song or two, or maybe even danced a happy dance.”

Iran moved their base to Tijuana, on the Mexican side of the border, in May. All three matches were played stateside with two in Los Angeles, one in Seattle. One grievance was the order to leave immediately after each game.

“That was just an agreement we worked out with FIFA before the games,” Mullin said. Iran’s comfort, he insisted, was the point.

Mullin also claimed “almost half” of Iran’s non-playing delegation had direct ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. FIFA has been contacted for comment.

Iran left a handwritten note to the people of Mexico thanking Tijuana for its kindness and calling the country “our second home”. But they left with a question, too: did every team really compete under equal conditions?

The answer is obvious.

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