Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised FIFA over its handling of his team's World Cup campaign, calling the tournament a "disaster" and accusing football's governing body of failing to address problems stemming from travel and visa restrictions.


The comments came after Iran's 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle, a result that left the team's hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time dependent on other results. Iran had a stoppage-time winner ruled out for offside following a VAR review, The Daily Mail reports. 


"We always complain about these things since the beginning, it's a disaster World Cup. A disaster," Taremi told reporters.


"As professional players in a professional competition, it's not right... it's not fair... if it's fair for FIFA, okay good for them. But it's not fair. Who wants to help us... no one helps. No one."


Referring to travel difficulties faced by the Iranian delegation, Taremi questioned who should have resolved the issues.


"Who has to solve this problem for us? Who? FIFA? I don't know. USA. I don't know - just mention one name for me."


He also said FIFA President Gianni Infantino had promised assistance after Iran's opening match but that no action followed.


"Infantino came to [our locker room] the first game [against New Zealand] and said we will solve every problem here, but actually FIFA did nothing."


Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei also criticised the treatment of his team, saying, "The USA's behaviour towards us has been really terrible and we hope the world will be aware of that."


Asked whether he believed tournament organisers wanted Iran to be eliminated, Taremi replied: "We have to fight against everything here. I don't know if people want [that] or not but as we see it by our perspective, yeah, they are like that I think."


Iran's World Cup preparations were disrupted after several members of its delegation were reportedly denied U.S. visas following hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel earlier this year. The team was also forced to relocate its training base to Mexico.


The draw with Egypt secured automatic qualification for Belgium and Egypt from Group G, while Iran must now await other group results to determine whether it advances as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.


By Sabina Mammadli