Iran’s disappointed World Cup squad has returned to a much warmer welcome at Tehran airport than they experienced on arrival in the US for their three group games.
“Iran, Iran!” a crowd of several hundred children, their parents and devoted fans chanted in unison on Wednesday.
Some waved the Iranian national flag while others sported bracelets with the national colours or wore the jersey of “Team Melli” as they feted the squad who had gone so close to reaching the knockout stages for the first time.
They finished third in the group, having drawn all three of their matches, but missed out as one of the eight best third-placed sides on goal difference.
The fervour reached fever-pitch when it was announced their flight from Türkiye — they had flown there first from Mexico, where they had been based during the tournament — had landed.
As the players descended from the aircraft they were also serenaded by musicians in military uniform playing the national anthem.
A lot of supporters brandished photographs of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who became a national hero for his performance in the scoreless draw with Belgium.
“We apologise in front of you, for failing to qualify and to bring you happiness,” a contrite Beiranvand told the fans on arriving at Mehrabad airport.
His teammate, defender Ramin Rezaeian voiced a common complaint amongst the Iranian World Cup entourage that but for US immigration restrictions they would have made history.
“We deserved to go further, but they really made the task more complicated for us,” he said.
The sentiment was shared by fan Mona Banisafa, who was among the crowd that turned out to welcome the team home.
“The national team players tried their best, but it didn’t work out. We came to thank them,” the 42-year-old said.
“One hundred percent, if the conditions had been a little better, they would have definitely achieved a better result.”
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