Iran heads home after a heartbreaking World Cup knockout, but fans say players should be proud‎

The Iranian national team left North America on Tuesday, departing from its World Cup home in Mexico following a tournament marked by repeated disagreements with U.S. officials, flashes of athletic brilliance and, ultimately, disappointment over barely missing out on advancing beyond the group stage. “I think even though they lost, it gave people a sense of hope,” said Mohammad Modarres, 38, who traveled from San Diego to bid the team farewell. Watching from the lobby of their Tijuana hotel, the team erupted in celebration when Algeria took the lead in stoppage time.