Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has hit out at the World Cup and the ruling body FIFA over the treatment of his team.
Taremi became emotional after Iran's dramatic 1-1 draw with Egypt on Friday night, a result that may be enough to reach the last 32 of the World Cup but maybe not.
"We always complain about these things since the beginning. It's a disaster World Cup. Disaster," he said.
"I mean FIFA. They have to solve every problem here, but unfortunately they couldn't solve ours since the beginning."
The Iran team had to change its base camp from Arizona to the Mexican city of Tijuana. They were subject of travel restrictions around their three matches in the US, with several delegation members not granted US visas at all.
"We don't have our logistics people here, they don't have a visa," he said. "We don’t have recovery or logistic people to help us. We always complain about these things but no one helps, no one."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the team in the dressing room after their opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand and pledged to help, but Taremi said that not much has happened and the group stage is over.
Coach coach Amir Ghalenoei said was "proud" of his players but added that "the host nation has treated us very unfairly."
Iran finished the group stage with three points from three draws and must now wait until later Saturday to find out whether that is enough to be among the eight third-placed teams to reach the knock-outs.
The chance is there as Iran are currently the sixth best third placed team with three more groups to play.
They thought they had stolen a stoppage time winner but the goal was nullified because of offside in the build-up and they then also hit the crossbar.
Taremi said the team's situation did make it any easier to play their games.
"Little things decide the games. Rest and recovery and a clear head are important. We can't keep a clear head here," Taremi said.
"We can't keep it to ourselves. We are Iran. Some people don't like us. But we have feelings."
Iran have never reached the knock-out stages and advancing would be a huge success, even more as the tournament is co-hosted by the US which is in a military conflict with Iran which is yet to be officially ended.
Friday's matches saw a number of fans with the old Iran flag in protest of the Islamic regime but they supported the players who applauded them after the final whistle.
The match was also declared a Pride Match by local organizers, before the pairing was known, as part of Seattle's Pride Fest weekend celebrating the LGBTQI+ community, and a few rainbow flags were visible in the stadium.
Muslim countries Iran and Egypt protested in vain in the run-up while Taremi said: "Our religion doesn't accept it but we respect all LGBTQI+ people. It is their idea, it is not about us. We are here toplay football. We respect all of them."
