WORLD CUP | Iran captain Mehdi Taremi slams FIFA as team awaits knockout qualification

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi criticised FIFA and called the tournament a “disaster” after Iran’s 0-0 draw with Egypt in Seattle left them waiting to see if they advance as one of the best-ranked third-place teams. Iran thought they had secured second place in Group G when Shojae Khalilzadeh scored in stoppage time, but VAR ruled the goal offside; Taremi also won and then missed a first-half penalty, according to Yahoo Sports. Iran are currently sixth in the third-place table with the top eight progressing, while Egypt will face Australia in the last-32 in Dallas on Friday. Taremi said Iran’s short-term US visa situation has forced the team to travel back to their base in Tijuana after matches and urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to do more if Iran reach the knockouts; Iran are currently pencilled in to play Switzerland in Vancouver on Thursday.