Iran National Team Departs for 2026 World Cup Amid Anti-US Chants in Tehran

Supporters gathered in Tehran on Wednesday to send off Iran’s national football team as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event, characterized as a pro-government gathering, featured players and coaches appearing on stage while crowds waved Iranian flags and sang the national anthem. Notably, the atmosphere was charged with political rhetoric, as attendees chanted slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” Some participants also carried portraits of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, highlighting the intersection of sports and state ideology. Following this send-off, the team is scheduled to travel to Turkey for a training camp. Subsequently, they will head to the United States for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. This development underscores the complex geopolitical tensions persisting between Iran and Western nations, even within the context of international sporting events. The presence of such strong anti-American sentiment in the capital raises questions about the diplomatic and social dynamics surrounding Iran's participation in a tournament hosted partially by its longstanding adversary.