Tehran, June 28 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei praised the Iranian national football team following their FIFA World Cup exit, commending their unity, resilience, and determination despite facing what he described as "pressure, discrimination, and restrictions."

He said the team refused to be discouraged by difficulties, continued to compete with spirit and integrity, and kept hope alive until the end. Baqaei added that beyond results, the team's performance brought pride, emotion, and unity to the nation, serving as a reminder of their shared identity and love for Iran.

Iran were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the group stage after a 1-1 draw with Egypt, coupled with a 3-3 draw between Austria and A...