FIFA World Cup coverage found unsurprising sympathy from one outlet after one team’s “heartbreaking” elimination was likened to being “super sad that the Nazi team didn’t qualify…”
In tournaments like the World Cup, advancement hinges on your performance as well as that of others — a reality that saw Austria’s tie with Algeria result in the official elimination of Iran. While many couldn’t believe the Islamist regime was represented in the first place, the Associated Press’ report on the loss seemingly found them “practically in tears.”
Sharing the lede line of writer Jim Vertuno, the AP posted to X Saturday, “Iran has been eliminated from the World Cup in heartbreaking fashion, narrowly failing to advance past the group stage in a politically charged tournament where the team played its matches amid tight restrictions imposed by the United States.”
Iran has been eliminated from the World Cup in heartbreaking fashion, narrowly failing to advance past the group stage in a politically charged tournament where the team played its matches amid tight restrictions imposed by the United States. https://t.co/3SxGDP1EOO
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 28, 2026
Detailing how the team tied each of its matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, leaving its fate in the play of Algeria and Austria, the article continued, “It was one last painful moment for Iran in a World Cup that’s been tumultuous, on and off the pitch.”
“The Iranians have been playing while Tehran negotiates with Washington on terms of a deal meant to permanently end the war that began earlier this year. Tensions continued Saturday when Iran launched a drone assault targeting Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, in a likely response to overnight airstrikes by the U.S. Hours later, the U.S. said it struck multiple Iranian military targets after it said Iran attacked a ship near the [Strait] of Hormuz.”
Ventuno further stated, “During the World Cup, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and players complained about numerous complications, including travel restrictions, visa denials for support staff and quick departures from the U.S. after matches,” and cited the coach as saying, “What these young Iranian national team players have done should be recorded in history. Why? Because the host treated us in the worst possible way.”
Such an assertion stood in stark contrast to the realities of how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) treated the people of its own country, including the thousands of protesters standing against the regime and the since-eliminated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who were slaughtered before President Donald Trump launched Operation Epic Fury.
Calling out the coverage as the latest example of embarrassing bias from corporate media, Red State’s Bonchie posted, “The AP is practically in tears over a terror regime losing a soccer tournament. You don’t hate the press enough,” while others weighed in with critiques like, “How is it heartbreaking? They are the single largest supporter of terrorism in the world. This article is like saying it’s super sad that the Nazi team didn’t qualify for the 1944 Olympics.”
The AP is practically in tears over a terror regime losing a soccer tournament.
You don’t hate the press enough. pic.twitter.com/K8mwGh9OBL
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) June 28, 2026
How is it heartbreaking? They are the single largest supporter of terrorism in the world. This article is like saying it’s super sad that the Nazi team didn’t qualify for the 1944 Olympics.
— J.W. de Nashville (@C130GuyBNA) June 28, 2026
As an Iranian, I offer my condolence to AP and the mullahs regime. Iranians don’t consider this team their national team. Players who stood by the people got arrested or kicked out.
— Siavash Safavi (@SedSia) June 28, 2026
The only thing “heartbreaking” about Iran is the tens of thousands of its own citizens that their own government massacred. Iran should have NEVER been allowed in the games.
— Shadow Patriot (@Shad0wPatriot) June 28, 2026
Heartbreaking?? What about the 40,000 plus Iranians killed by their own government? That meant nothing to you? This is why all media sucks. We’ve got Europeans visiting here for the World Cup and having a great time. A lot have said their own media has lied to them about the US.
— Alaine Ferreira (@AlaineF0922) June 28, 2026
Isn’t their goalie imprisoned in Iran awaiting execution for wrong thought? Didn’t the mullahs try to sneak terrorists into our country with the team?
— Sarah Good (@catpurrsarenice) June 28, 2026
The AP crying about a soccer game when the country’s regime slaughtered thousands of those who opposed it.
— Denise Jones (@DeniseJ24672340) June 28, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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