The Iran national football team left an emotional, handwritten note in their SoFi Stadium dressing room on Sunday, following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium.
Issued by the Iranian Football Federation, the message conveyed deep national pride and gratitude to the hosts, while keeping Iran’s hopes of advancing to the World Cup knockout stage alive despite challenging logistical conditions.
Iran Delivers Handwritten Appeal for Global Unity After Hard-Fought World Cup Draw
The 74-word message inscribed on the locker room whiteboard resonated powerfully, underscoring the squad’s resilience amid significant geopolitical pressures.
“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” the handwritten note read. “Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.”
The note also expressed profound appreciation to the passionate Iranian diaspora that filled the stadium, thanking every supporter who gave their “heart, voice, and soul” during the team’s 180 minutes in California.
Iran left a note in the SoFi Stadium locker room. Read it.
They didn’t make it out of the group stage. But before they left Los Angeles, the Iranian squad left something behind in the locker room at SoFi Stadium, and it’s gone viral for all the right reasons.
The message read:… pic.twitter.com/NVdA9H0w94
— Football Paparazzi (@PaparazziFutbal) June 22, 2026
Crucially, the text featured the tags “#168” and “#Minab”, a tribute to the school children killed in a historic missile strike in Minab. It concluded with a plea that “peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations.”
From the football pitch to the negotiating table to the battlefield, every step we take as Iranians is part of a larger struggle: defending the honor and dignity of our dear people.#Minab168 pic.twitter.com/CFZ6EbYo49
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2026
Iran confronts unprecedented off‑field hurdles, as U.S. immigration restrictions limit the team to a 48‑hour stay on U.S. soil, forcing the squad and coach Amir Ghalenoei to operate from Tijuana, Mexico, and commute for matches.
Coach Ghalenoei sharply criticized the conditions, describing his side as “the most oppressed team in the World Cup.”
Iran currently sits second in the group with two points, one point behind Egypt, who secured their first World Cup win with a 3-1 victory over New Zealand. Belgium, also with two points, are expected to defeat New Zealand in their final match, reaching five points.
Consequently, Iran must defeat Egypt in their decisive final group match to keep qualification hopes alive.
