Iran World Cup team leaves political letter referencing schoolgirl strike in LA
After a 0-0 draw with Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles, Iran’s national team left a handwritten note in their locker room thanking the city and referencing the hashtags #168 and #Minab—tributes to 168 people, mostly schoolgirls, killed in a US airstrike in Minab. The gesture occurred amid heightened US-Iran tensions, with the team facing logistical restrictions including basing in Tijuana, Mexico, and visa issues. Iran advanced to knockout-stage contention.
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Iran Leaves Emotional Handwritten Note After World Cup Draw with Belgium
Following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Iranian national football team left a poignant handwritten note in their dressing room at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The 74-word message, released by the Iranian football federation, expressed deep national pride, gratitude to the local Iranian diaspora, and a plea for global peace. Notably, it included references to the 168 victims of the Minab school strike (#168 and #Minab). The gesture occurred amid severe logistical challenges; the Iranian team is restricted to 48-hour stays in the US due to immigration rules, forcing them to base themselves in Tijuana, Mexico. Coach Amir Ghalenoei described his team as the most oppressed in the tournament. Iran currently has two points from two group-stage matches and must beat Egypt in their final group game to advance to the knockout rounds.
CaughtOffsideIranian World Cup Team Leaves Emotional Letter with Political Message in US Locker Room
During the 2026 World Cup hosted in the United States, Iran's national football team left a handwritten letter in the locker room of SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles after two draws against New Zealand and Belgium. The letter thanked California fans and included the hashtags #168 and #minab, referencing an alleged erroneous US airstrike on a school in Minab that reportedly killed dozens. The team also complained about restrictions, including being required to base in Tijuana, Mexico, and enter the US only for matches, with some members facing visa issues. Iran advanced to knockout stage contention amid political tensions between the two nations, which were under a ceasefire during the tournament.
BILD - SportIranian World Cup Team Leaves Thank-You Note for Los Angeles Despite Complaints of Unfair Treatment
The Iranian national soccer team, after securing a 0-0 draw against group favorite Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, left a handwritten thank-you note in Los Angeles praising the city's hospitality. The note, shared by the Iranian Football Federation, expressed pride and dignity despite ongoing tensions from the U.S.-Iran war, and included references (#168, #minab) to a U.S. airstrike on a girls' school. This gesture came after coach Amir Ghalenoei publicly complained that U.S. officials forced the team to return immediately to their base in Tijuana, Mexico, after their first match, denying them recovery time. The team's strong performance against Belgium, highlighted by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, leaves them second in Group G with a chance to advance.
Forbes - BusinessIran national team leaves handwritten peace message in Los Angeles locker room
Following their 1-1 draw against Belgium at the Los Angeles Stadium during the 2026 World Cup, Iran's national team left a handwritten note in the locker room thanking the city for its hospitality. The message, signed with a nod to ancient Persia, called for 'peace, respect, and friendship' among nations. It also referenced the hashtags #168 and #Minab, alluding to the number of people reportedly killed in a US missile attack on a school in Minab at the start of a war. The note thanked Iranian fans for their support over the 180 minutes of matches Iran played in Los Angeles, including an earlier draw with New Zealand.
RecordIran Leave Peace Message in Dressing Room After World Cup Draw with Belgium
Following a goalless draw with Belgium in their second Group G match at the 2026 World Cup, the Iranian national team left a handwritten note in their dressing room at Los Angeles Stadium calling for peace, respect, and friendship among all nations. The note, released by the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI), thanked Los Angeles for its hospitality and praised Iranian fans. It also referenced a deadly attack on a girls' school in Minab that killed 168 people on the first day of the ongoing war between Iran and the United States. Iran's participation has been marked by uncertainty, with multiple staff denied US visas, ticket allocations revoked by FIFA, and the team relocating their base to Tijuana, Mexico, due to travel restrictions. The team is only allowed to enter the US a day before matches and must leave on game day. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei called Iran the 'most oppressed' team at the tournament. The White House is reportedly reviewing travel rules for Iran's final group game against Egypt on 27 June.
BBC SportIran leaves letter in World Cup dressing room referencing schoolgirls killed by US strike
Following a 0-0 draw against Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles, the Iranian national team left a hand-written letter in their dressing room. The letter paid tribute to 168 people, mostly schoolgirls, killed in a US airstrike on a school in Minab, Iran, during the US-led war that began in February. The note expressed pride in representing Iran and gratitude to Los Angeles, while using the hashtags #168 and #Minab. This was the second tribute by the team, who had previously worn pins with the same hashtag. The match occurred amid heightened US-Iran tensions, with President Trump threatening further strikes. The Iranian team also faced travel disruptions, including being forced to base in Tijuana, Mexico, and a US claim—denied by Iran—that an IRGC-linked individual tried to join the team's flight.
Mirror - FootballIran feels ‘oppressed’ at this World Cup – its players are battling toward history anyway
Iran's national soccer team, facing travel restrictions and geopolitical tensions with the US, earned a defiant 0-0 draw against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup in Inglewood, California. The Iranian players and coach had earlier complained of being the 'most oppressed' team due to US travel constraints. Despite suboptimal conditions, including last-minute travel and a lack of full training, the team united and performed well. The match was overshadowed by a public dispute between the US Department of Homeland Security and the Iranian football federation over alleged attempts to bring Iranian Revolutionary Guard-linked officials into the country. Iran’s players used the adversity to strengthen team character, aiming to inspire Iranians and reach the knockout rounds.
Soccer - The AthleticIran Battles Adversity to Draw with Belgium at 2026 World Cup
Iran's national soccer team, feeling 'oppressed' due to U.S. travel restrictions and geopolitical tensions, earned a defiant 0-0 draw against heavily favored Belgium at the 2026 World Cup in Inglewood, California. The match was played amid a backdrop of U.S. allegations that Iran tried to bring officials with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps into the country, which Iran's football federation strongly denied. Iranian players and coach Amir Ghalenoei had previously complained about travel difficulties and suboptimal preparation, but after the match, they emphasized unity and resilience. Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made heroic saves, and Iran pushed for a winner in the final moments. The draw put Iran on top of Group G temporarily, keeping alive their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time, while inspiring Iranians at home.
Soccer - The Athletic