US Homeland Security Secretary Markquin Mullin said Monday that he "danced for joy" and sang after the Iranian World Cup team was eliminated from the tournament and ordered to leave the United States, according to a New York Times report. Mullin told a press conference that when visas were revoked and the team was told to depart, "I was very happy, and I may have even danced for joy."
US Homeland Security Secretary Markquin Mullin said Monday that he "danced for joy" after the Iranian national team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup and ordered to leave the United States, the New York Times reported.
Addressing a press conference on the World Cup, Mullin said: "I am happy that their story is over and that they are not coming back. When we received their visas and told them they needed to leave US soil, I was very happy, and I may have even danced for joy." He added that he sang.
The comments follow a turbulent saga that began before the tournament, when the U.S. granted the Iranian team restricted visas requiring them to commute from Tijuana, Mexico, rather than stay on American soil. The team's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, told Fox News the team was "perhaps the most depressed in the World Cup" after being ordered to return to Mexico immediately after its opening match against New Zealand.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the IRGC's involvement — Mullin earlier asserted Iran tried to infiltrate Revolutionary Guard operatives alongside the team. Iranian media and officials have objected to the travel restrictions and the team's early elimination, while U.S. officials have maintained security-driven policies toward the Iranian delegation.
- DevelopingIran World Cup team says ordered to leave US immediately after opening match in California
- StrongUS Homeland Security secretary: Iran tried to infiltrate IRGC operatives with World Cup team
- DevelopingUS eases restrictions on Iran's World Cup team, allowing travel 2 days before matches
- StrongIranian outlet cites U.S. visa agreement for Iran World Cup players staying on American soil
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake