Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Tuesday that he "danced a happy dance" when Iran was knocked out of the FIFA World Cup, unusually candid remarks from the official whose department oversaw security at the U.S.-hosted tournament.
Iran's participation in the 48-team expanded tournament had been uncertain for months. After President Donald Trump ordered military strikes against Iran before the competition began, FIFA President Gianni Infantino conducted shuttle diplomacy between Washington and Tehran to prevent a boycott that many feared would delegitimize the world's largest sporting event.
The administration ultimately created an unprecedented arrangement: Iran played its matches in Tijuana, Mexico, flying into the United States only on the day before each game and departing immediately afterward. The Iranian squad was required to leave U.S. soil within hours of each match's conclusion.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers largely defended Mullin's comments, arguing that national security interests properly took precedence over sporting diplomacy. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the administration had gone to extraordinary lengths to accommodate Iran while protecting American soil.
"Secretary Mullin is right to celebrate when threats are removed from our borders," Cotton said in a statement. "The fact that we allowed Iranian athletes to compete at all shows this administration's commitment to international engagement."
Conservative commentators praised what they characterized as an unvarnished assessment of the security challenges involved. The arrangement required extensive coordination between U.S., Mexican, and FIFA officials, with Customs and Border Protection officers processing the team's biometrics in Tijuana before each match so players could bypass normal inspections upon landing.
"This administration bent over backwards to let Iran participate," wrote Commentary magazine columnist Noah Rothman. "The fact that their security apparatus tried to smuggle IRGC operatives into American stadiums justifies every restriction imposed."
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and human rights advocates expressed concern that Mullin's remarks undermined the diplomatic carefulness required in such a sensitive situation. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that while the administration had navigated complex geopolitics to allow Iran's participation, public celebrations by a cabinet secretary could complicate future negotiations.
Human rights organizations pointed to ongoing protests inside Iran regarding women's access to sporting events and the treatment of athletes who have spoken out against the government. The Center for Human Rights in Iran called for continued diplomatic engagement despite sporting rivalries, arguing that cultural exchanges represent one of few remaining channels for dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
"These tournaments serve as rare opportunities for people-to-people connections," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International USA. "Statements that frame entire nations as adversaries make those connections harder to sustain."
What the Numbers Show
Iran played three matches at the World Cup, all held in Tijuana: two group stage games and a knockout round match before elimination.
According to Mullin, U.S. officials spent more time on security planning for Iran than any other participating delegation. He alleged Iranian officials attempted to bring numerous individuals with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps into the United States, including personnel who had never previously traveled with the national team.
Mullin said two individuals presented as media members were found to have connections to IRGC intelligence operations, and another applicant was identified as the subject of an international warrant. These claims could not be independently verified through official channels.
The arrangement required coordination across multiple federal agencies, including DHS, CBP, the State Department, and FEMA's Special Events Coordination Center, which coordinated security planning for the expanded tournament format.
The Bottom Line
Mullin's remarks highlight how the 2026 World Cup became entangled in broader U.S.-Iran tensions following military action by the Trump administration. Despite friction over travel restrictions, Iran ultimately participated in matches held just across the border from Los Angeles, where most of its games were scheduled.
The episode underscores the challenges of hosting international sporting events amid geopolitical conflicts. FIFA President Infantino's diplomatic efforts successfully prevented a boycott that would have affected tournament structure and revenue sharing among participating nations.
Mullin has defended his department's security posture as necessary given intelligence assessments about potential threats posed by individuals traveling with the Iranian delegation. Iranian officials had publicly criticized the restrictions, calling them discriminatory and disruptive to their team's preparation — claims Mullin rejected during Tuesday's briefing.
"They were playing games the whole time," Mullin told reporters. "They're gone, they're out of the tournament, we don't deal with them anymore."