U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin celebrates Iran's World Cup elimination

Jun 27, 2026

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin celebrated Iran's World Cup elimination, admitting he did a "happy dance" after the team's exit. The tournament was marked by severe geopolitical friction, with the U.S. denying visas to over half of Iran's delegation and forcing the team to base in Tijuana, Mexico. Iranian officials condemned the treatment as unprofessional and petty, pointing to the ongoing conflict and a February 2026 U.S. air strike that killed 168 Iranian children.

Mullin celebrates Iran elimination

▪U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated during a briefing that he was glad Iran was eliminated from the World Cup, celebrating by doing a happy dance and singing.
▪Markwayne Mullin expressed relief that the Iranian team was leaving U.S. soil, noting that no other team required more attention or caused more issues for U.S. officials.

Iran's group-stage exit

▪Iran's potential winning goal by Shojae Khalilzadeh against Egypt was ruled out by a marginal video assistant referee offside call.
▪Iran was eliminated from the World Cup group stage after drawing all three of its matches, concluding with a 1-1 draw against Egypt.

U.S. visa restrictions

▪U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that more than half of Iran's support staff, totaling over 60 people, were denied visas to enter the United States.
▪The Iran Football Federation called the visa denials and accusations of security threats by U.S. officials false, fabricated, and entirely baseless.

Iranian team travel constraints

▪U.S. authorities required the Iranian team to leave the United States immediately after the final whistle of their matches, allowing entry only 24 hours before their first two games.
▪Iran was forced to relocate its World Cup training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, due to U.S. government restrictions.

Alleged IRGC infiltration attempt

▪Markwayne Mullin claimed that members of the Iranian traveling party attempted to sneak in an individual with direct ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
▪The United States government has officially designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

Shajareh Tayyebeh school strike

▪An air strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, on February 28, 2026, killed 168 children during the first day of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
▪A military investigation determined the United States was responsible for the Shajareh Tayyebeh school strike, though President Donald Trump and the U.S. government have not confirmed the report.