Iran’s World Cup has been shaped by border rules and visa disputes as much as by anything on the pitch — and their players are not staying quiet about it.
The squad has been based across the border in Tijuana, Mexico, allowed into the United States only within 24 hours of kickoff and sent home the moment a match ends.
None of it has shown in the results. Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand to open Group G, then held Belgium to a goalless draw in Los Angeles on Sunday.
But while the team has stayed composed on the field, it has made its grievances plain off it — the latest a message left behind in the dressing room.
Iran’s handwritten World Cup message references US strike victims
Before kickoff against Belgium, sections of the SoFi Stadium crowd in Los Angeles booed Iran’s national anthem, as they had during the opener against New Zealand.
After the final whistle, Iran’s players left a handwritten note in their dressing room. It was released by the country’s football federation and reported by The Telegraph.
The note read: “From the ancient Persia thousands of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality.
“And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes. May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations.”
The 180 minutes referred to Iran’s two matches in Los Angeles. The note also carried the hashtags “#168” and “#Minab” — a reference to a reported US strike on a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, which killed 168 people, many of them children, during the recent conflict between the two countries.
Iran’s players have worn #168 pin badges since arriving at the tournament. The dressing-room note turned a gracious farewell to Los Angeles into a pointed message aimed at Washington.
Forward Alireza Jahanbakhsh, the former Brighton winger, suggested the disruption had only drawn the squad closer together.
He said: “I think that’s united us even more. We’ve shown great team character and part of it comes from the situation we are in, obviously.”
The Trump administration has framed its handling of the team in far warmer terms. Andrew Giuliani, the White House’s executive director for the tournament, pointed to the visas that were granted and defended the US treatment of Iran’s delegation, calling the approvals “pretty amazing.”
For Iran, the practical effect has not changed much. Al Jazeera reported that the US would not relax the team’s arrangements for the Los Angeles fixtures, even after the federation said it would complain to FIFA.
There has been one concession. Ghalenoei has said Iran will be permitted to fly in two days early for their final group game against Egypt in Seattle. Whether the restrictions ease further may depend on the US-Iran peace talks now underway in Switzerland.
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