Iran coach after late VAR call: ‘Used to think we were an oppressed team, but we are also an unlucky team’

SEATTLE — After a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Egypt, Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed frustration over his team’s misfortunes throughout the tournament. A crucial late goal, which appeared to secure Iran’s place in the knockout stages, was disallowed for a narrow offside call. The decision came just as Shoja Khalilzadeh celebrated scoring what many believed could have been a historic moment for Iranian football.

Frustration Over VAR Decision

Iran had previously hoped to advance as runners-up in Group G, trailing behind Belgium. In a tense match, Khalilzadeh thought he had clinched victory in the 93rd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out after a close VAR review. The incident left Iranian players and fans in shock, believing they had secured a rare knockout round spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ironically, the late VAR intervention propelled Egypt to their first-ever advancement past the group stage. Now, Iran awaits the result of their qualification status as one of the best-performing third-placed teams.

Travel Challenges and Team Morale

Ghalenoei also highlighted the difficulties his team faced, including travel restrictions that forced them to relocate their base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico. He lamented how these conditions impacted the players’ preparation and overall morale, stating, “I used to think we were an oppressed team, but I note that we are also an unlucky team.”

Despite these challenges, Ghalenoei praised his squad for their performance and resilience. He emphasized that the team still managed to showcase their talent and earn respect on the world stage, reinforcing the spirit of Iranian football.

“We are proud of what we have achieved,” he said, while urging FIFA to address the issues posed by the host nation. Ghalenoei’s plea is not just for his team, but for the sake of fair treatment in international competitions.

FAQs

Why was Iran’s late goal disallowed?

Shoja Khalilzadeh’s goal in injury time was ruled offside by VAR due to a marginal positioning of his foot.

What are Iran’s chances of advancing in the tournament?

Iran awaits results from other matches to determine if they qualify as one of the best-performing third-placed teams.