Iran World Cup Note Carries Message About Bombing

Iran’s national soccer team is drawing attention at the World Cup not only for its results on the field, but also for a handwritten message left behind in Los Angeles. The Iran World Cup Note is creating headlines. The team left a note in the locker room at SoFi Stadium after two group-stage matches in the city. Iran had played to draws against New Zealand and Belgium, keeping its hopes alive before its next match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The message thanked Los Angeles and the fans who supported the team. But it also included a political reference connected to the recent war between the United States and Iran.

“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 began.

The team wrote that it had come “with pride,” played “with honor” and would leave “with dignity.” The final paragraph said: “May peace, respect and friendship between all nations prevail.”

Iran World Cup Note With A Political Reference

The most sensitive part of the note was the addition of the hashtags #168 and #Minab.

The hashtags appeared to refer to the alleged mistaken bombing of a school in the Iranian city of Minab during the U.S.-Iran war. Some reports put the death toll at 168. Other reports gave a lower figure of 156.

The reference showed that Iran was also using its World Cup appearance to send a political message. The tournament began while the United States, the host country, was still formally at war with Iran, although fighting had largely stopped under a ceasefire.

After the signing of a declaration of intent to negotiate a peace deal, there is now hope that the conflict could formally end.

The note therefore went beyond a standard farewell message from a team to a host city. It linked Iran’s World Cup run to the civilian suffering caused by the war and placed the issue in front of an international audience.

Visa Restrictions Frustrate Team

Iran’s team had already complained about restrictions during the tournament.

According to the team’s account, the players were allowed to enter the United States only shortly before each match and had to leave again after the final whistle. The squad’s base was moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, across the border.

There were also reported visa problems for some team members and staff. One player, Mehdi Torabi, reportedly had to renew an expired entry permit in a hurry after the match against New Zealand.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei called his players the “most oppressed team” at the World Cup because of the restrictions.

On the field, however, Iran remains in the race. After two draws, the team can still qualify for the knockout round with a result against Egypt in Seattle.

A later match against the United States remains possible under the tournament bracket, but it would depend on the final group standings. Iran would likely need to finish second in its group, while the U.S. would need to land in the corresponding position in its own group.

For now, Iran’s World Cup campaign has become both a sports story and a political flashpoint.