SEATTLE (Reuters) — The emotions were still raw for Iran players and their coach long after the final whistle of the team’s 1-1 draw against Egypt in their group-stage finale at Seattle Stadium on Friday night.

Seeking to advance out of the group stage for the first time in their World Cup history, Iran was left to wait out the results of Saturday’s matches following a third-place finish in Group G. It appeared “The Melli” had solidified their place in the round of 32 with a stoppage-time score, only to have a video review disallow Shojae Khalilzadeh’s goal by a marginal offside call.

That disappointment continued a turbulent World Cup experience for Iran, which moved its training camp base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, due to the Islamic Republic’s war with the US and Israel, which was then ongoing. The team has also faced logistical issues traveling back and forth to the United States for its three group matches.

Iran is in a strong position to claim one of the eight third-place spots in the round of 32, but coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team has been treated “very unfairly” while urging FIFA president Gianni Infantino to “stand up” to the co-host of the tournament, the United States.

“It was the host that wasn’t very good to us,” Ghalenoei said after Friday’s match. “I urge FIFA to not let the hosts treat teams and players the same way in the future. I hope Mr. Infantino will actually stand up to such behavior.”

Friday’s match took place against the backdrop of Seattle’s annual PrideFest, with the city’s host committee unofficially declaring June 26 the “Pride Match” before December’s draw pitted Egypt against Iran.

The countries are two of the most repressive in the........

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