U.S. Homeland Security Chief Says He Danced After Iran's World Cup Exit

The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said he "danced a happy dance" after Iran was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup group stage. Iran missed advancement on goal difference when a stoppage-time goal against Egypt was disallowed for offside. Algeria's 3-3 draw with Austria on Sunday confirmed the elimination.

Iran's training base was moved from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, before the tournament. The team was allowed into the United States only the day before its first two matches and required to leave the same day. Restrictions were eased for the final group match in Seattle, permitting arrival two days early, but the squad still had to return to Tijuana after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Egypt.

“I'm just glad they're done, and they're not coming back. 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." — Markwayne Mullin, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Monday (BBC Sport). Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said the United States had "treated us very unfairly" and that his squad received "less than half" the training window needed. Captain Mehdi Taremi said the tension "undermines the joy of the World Cup" and that he felt it from arrival.”

Israel amid ongoing regional conflict.

The team was the only squad requiring repeated same-day travel between Mexico and the United States for each match. The secretary added that no other team required as much handling as Iran during the tournament.