The Iranian national team left an emotional letter in the locker room after their draw with Belgium at the 2026 World Cup
After the second-round match of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup against Belgium, which ended in a scoreless draw on June 23, the Iranian national team delegation left a handwritten note in the locker room of the stadium in California thanking the city and the fans.
The gesture took on special significance given the strained political relations between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The Iranian Football Federation published a photograph of the letter, in which the team thanked Los Angeles for its hospitality and called for peace, respect, and friendship among nations.
“From ancient Persia of millennia past to the civilized Iran of today—the spirit of Iran remains alive and unwavering. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and are leaving with dignity. We thank every Iranian who gave their heart, voice, and soul for Iran during these 180 minutes. May peace, respect, and friendship reign among all nations,” the letter reads.
The text also mentioned the tragedy in the Iranian city of Minab, where dozens of people were killed during one of the first days of the war.
Iran’s participation in the tournament is subject to strict restrictions. Some members of the coaching and technical staff were denied entry visas to the United States, and the team was forced to relocate its base camp to Tijuana, Mexico. In addition, Iranian soccer players are not allowed to remain in the United States on a permanent basis. Under the terms of a special arrangement, they fly into the country only on the eve of matches and must leave immediately after the games end. As a result, the national team regularly endures grueling flights between Mexico and the tournament’s host cities.
Head coach Amir Ghaleni stated that his team faces challenges that no other World Cup participant faces. According to him, the constant logistical constraints significantly impact the players’ preparation.
Despite the challenging conditions, Iran continues to fight for a spot in the knockout stage. After draws with New Zealand (2–2) and Belgium (0–0), the team has two points and still has a realistic chance of advancing. The match against Egypt, scheduled for June 27 in Seattle, will be decisive for the Iranians.
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