WANA (Jun 10) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has sharply criticized the treatment of international sports delegations at U.S. points of entry ahead of the FIFA World Cup, praising co-host Mexico for its contrasting hospitality.

 

In a statement published on his official account on X (formerly Twitter), Baghaei underscored that the global tournament should serve as a unifying event rather than an avenue for political friction.

 

“The football World Cup must not become a pretext for the discrimination and harassment of nations’ sports representatives,” Baghaei wrote.

 

Criticizing U.S. Entry Protocols

The spokesman’s remarks follow a series of concerning reports regarding the reception of international sports figures arriving in North America.

 

Baghaei expressed deep concern over what he described as inappropriate and disrespectful conduct by U.S. border and immigration authorities toward arriving athletes, officials, and international guests.

 

“Soccer is a platform for healthy competition and for bringing nations closer together, not an excuse to open Pandora’s box of old grudges and unleash deeply rooted complexes,” Baghaei stated. “The World Cup is conceived as a global celebration of soccer, not as an opportunity to humiliate and discriminate against other nations.”

 

Praising Mexico’s Hospitality

In stark contrast to the situation at U.S. entry points, the Iranian diplomat lauded the reception provided by Mexican authorities and citizens to arriving soccer delegations.

 

“Wonderful! Keep it up, Mexico,” Baghaei noted, emphasizing that the warm and courteous welcome extended by the Mexican people serves as a powerful reminder of genuine hospitality, which is defined by human conduct and making guests feel valued.

 

Concluding his message, the Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested that the true metric of a World Cup host extends far beyond infrastructure.

 

“The true credibility of a host country is not measured solely by sports facilities or political grandiosity,” Baghaei asserted, “but by the quality of treatment given to those who arrive in its country out of love for soccer.”