Iran left a handwritten message in their dressing room after playing out a goalless draw against Belgium in their second Group G match at Los Angeles Stadium.
The note, later released by the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI), expressed gratitude to the host city and delivered a broader appeal for harmony between countries. It stated that the spirit of Iran had endured from ancient Persia to modern-day Iran and highlighted the team’s pride in representing their nation at the tournament.
The message also thanked Los Angeles for its hospitality and acknowledged the support of Iranian fans who backed the team during their first two World Cup matches.
Its closing words called for peace, mutual respect, and friendship among all nations.
Reference to conflict at home
The statement included a mention of the attack on a girls’ school in Minab, where at least 168 people were killed on the opening day of the war.
Iran is taking part in the World Cup while their country and the United States, one of the tournament’s co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico, remain engaged in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
The team’s participation in the competition has unfolded against the backdrop of those developments, with attention focused on both sporting and political issues.
Despite the challenges surrounding their campaign, Iran have collected two points from their opening two matches.
Tournament preparations affected by restrictions
Iran’s World Cup journey has been marked by uncertainty because of the war in the Middle East and security-related concerns.
Several members of the team’s backroom staff were denied entry visas to the United States, while the FFIRI criticised the removal of its ticket allocation on the eve of the competition and urged FIFA to maintain neutrality, fairness, and established regulations.
As a result, Iran moved their tournament base from Arizona in the United States to Tijuana in Mexico.
The squad has also been operating under strict travel conditions, being permitted to enter the United States only one day before a match and required to depart on the same day the game is played.
Focus turns to Egypt encounter
Following the 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening fixture and the stalemate against Belgium, Iran will conclude their Group G campaign against Egypt in Seattle on 27 June.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei described his side as the “most oppressed” team at the tournament after the match with New Zealand, pointing to the difficulties surrounding their participation.
There could, however, be adjustments to the arrangements for their final group game. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, said discussions were taking place regarding the timing of Iran’s travel to and from the United States for the meeting with Egypt.
The outcome of those talks may influence the team’s preparations ahead of their final group-stage fixture.
