Iran’s national football team delivered one of the most powerful off-pitch moments of the 2026 World Cup, leaving a heartfelt handwritten message inside their SoFi Stadium dressing room.
The note, which has since gone viral, was released by the Iranian football federation following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium on Sunday.
The 74-word message was written on the locker room whiteboard and struck an immediate emotional chord with football fans around the world.
“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” the note read, opening with a declaration of cultural pride.
The message continued: “Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.”
The squad also paid tribute to the passionate Iranian diaspora who packed the stands at SoFi Stadium, thanking every fan who gave their “heart, voice, and soul” during Iran’s 180 minutes in California.
Crucially, the note included the tags “#168” and “#Minab”, serving as a tribute to school children killed in a historic missile strike in Minab.
The message closed with a powerful plea that “peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations,” elevating the gesture beyond football into a broader humanitarian statement.
The moment comes against a backdrop of extraordinary logistical hardship, with Iran facing travel restrictions imposed by US immigration authorities that prevent the squad from staying on American soil for more than 48 hours at a time.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei and his players have been forced to base themselves in Tijuana, Mexico, commuting across the border for each of their matches in the tournament.
Ghalenoei has been vocal about the situation, fiercely labeling his side the “most oppressed team in the World Cup” as he continues to navigate the unprecedented circumstances.
Despite the enormous off-pitch pressures, Iran remain very much alive in their group, currently sitting second with two points after two matches.
Egypt lead the group and recorded their first ever World Cup win with a convincing 3-1 victory over New Zealand, putting them two points clear at the top.
Belgium also sit on two points in third place and are widely expected to beat New Zealand in their final group game, which would likely move them onto five points.
That makes Iran’s final group fixture against Egypt an outright must-win match if Ghalenoei’s side are to progress to the knockout stages of the tournament.
