Iran's national football team received a warm welcome from supporters and government officials upon returning home after their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The team arrived at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on Wednesday evening after travelling from Turkiye, where they had stopped following their journey from North America.
Despite failing to progress beyond the group stage, players and coaching staff were greeted by enthusiastic fans who applauded their performances during the tournament.
Iran finished their World Cup campaign with three draws, narrowly missing out on a place in the Round of 16.
They opened with a draw against New Zealand before producing an impressive display to hold Belgium. In their decisive final group match against Egypt, Iran endured a frustrating evening, missing a penalty, striking the woodwork twice and seeing a late goal ruled out for offside as they were held to another draw.
The results were not enough to secure qualification for the knockout stage, but many supporters praised the team's fighting spirit throughout the competition.
The tournament also proved challenging off the pitch for Iran. The team's delegation faced strict travel restrictions during the World Cup, with players and staff reportedly only allowed to enter the United States on the day of their matches.
The restrictions sparked criticism from sections of the Iranian media, which argued that the team did not receive the same treatment as other participating nations.
Nevertheless, the mood on their return was one of appreciation, with fans turning out in large numbers to thank the players and coaching staff for their efforts on football's biggest stage.
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