President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that the US administration's conduct as host of the 2026 World Cup reflects its familiar foreign policy of bending rules, humiliating rivals, and cheating. 'Iran rejects such games,' Pezeshkian said, vowing to stand firmly on the country's rights, according to reports on Hebrew-language Telegram channels.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday accused the United States of 'bending rules, humiliating rivals, and cheating' in its role as host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports on Hebrew-language Telegram channels.
'[The administration's] behavior as host reflects its familiar foreign policy: bending rules, humiliating rivals, creating obstacles, and cheating. Iran rejects such games,' Pezeshkian said. 'We stand firmly on our rights.'
The statement adds the president's voice to a wave of Iranian criticism of the US over the tournament. Earlier this week, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei accused Washington of violating hosting standards. The Zioneer has previously reported on Iranian grievances over visa restrictions, ticket allocations, and the treatment of its national team.
The remarks were reported by a single source and have not been independently confirmed. There was no immediate response from the US State Department.
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