U.S. Homeland Security Secretary says he did a ‘happy dance’ after Iran knocked out of World Cup
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin expressed joy over Iran’s elimination from the World Cup, stating he did a “happy dance” and sang to celebrate the team's exit after they failed to advance past the group stage.
- Mullin reiterated allegations that many members of Iran’s traveling party had ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Iran’s Football Federation vehemently denied as “false, fabricated and entirely baseless.”
- The Iranian team faced significant logistical challenges during the tournament, including changes to their training base, late entry into the U.S., visa denials for staff, and being forced to leave U.S. soil immediately after matches, which Iran criticized as mistreatment.
- Mullin dismissed Iran’s complaints about their treatment and defended U.S. actions as security measures, while Iran’s Football Federation condemned Mullin’s remarks as petty and reflective of hostility toward their team’s presence.
- The controversy also touched on broader U.S.-Iran tensions, with Iran referencing a 2026 U.S. airstrike that killed 168 children, highlighting the deep animosity underlying the political and sporting conflict.
