Iran captain Mehdi Taremi gestures during a group stage match against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif. Photo by Christopher Torres/EPA
Players from the Iranian men’s soccer team left a note in their locker room to thank World Cup host Los Angeles and call for peace among nations.
The handwritten letter was placed inside their locker room after a scoreless draw with No. 10 Belgium on Sunday at Los Angeles Stadium. The No. 22 Iranians secured their first point of the tournament through a 2-2 draw with No. 84 New Zealand on June 15 on the same field in Inglewood, Calif.
“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 said.
“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, 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 Iranians’ presence at the World Cup has been surrounded by tension amid the country’s war with Israel and the United States — one of three World Cup host nations. U.S. and Iranian officials remain active in negotiations to end the conflict.
Several Iranian team staff members were denied entry visas into the United States for the tournament. The Iranians also switched their base camp from Arizona to Mexico because of strict travel restrictions. Their visa conditions stipulate that they can fly into the United States the day before a game, but they must leave the same day as the match.
Iranian players donned pins, which said “168,” on their clothes when they arrived to their base camp in Tijuana. The number signifies the reported death toll from a bombing of an elementary school in Minab, Iran on the first day of the war. The Iranians also wrote “168” and “Minab” on their locker room letter.
The school was adjacent to buildings used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy — a paramilitary force designed as a terrorist organization by the United States and more than a dozen other countries.
U.S. officials told The New York Times, Washington Post and NBC that the school was hit due to an intelligence error. Those outlets, which said the United States was likely responsible for the bombing, reported that the school was previously part of the base.
The bombing was part of a wave of strikes in Iran, which led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Department of Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin told Fox News on Sunday that a man connected to the IRGC, who was posing as the president of Iran’s soccer federation, was among several people prevented from entering the United States on Saturday when the team was leaving Tijuana.
Mullin said most teams travel with around 120 people and Iran was permitted to travel to the United States with 53 people. He said those denied for travel “had direct ties to the IRGC and aren’t their normal traveling group.”
Last week, coach Amir Ghalenoei called Iran “the most oppressed” team at the World Cup due to travel issues and other restrictions. Captain Mehdi Taremi called the situation a “disaster” when meeting with reporters last week.
Some fans could be heard booing during Iran’s national anthem before each of their first two games at the World Cup. Iran will face Egypt in a Group G finale at 11 p.m. EDT Friday in Seattle.
No. 26 Egypt (1-0-1) currently sits atop Group G, with four points. Iran (0-0-2) sits in second, just ahead of third-place Belgium (0-0-2). New Zealand (0-1-1) rounds out the group.
Iran could still face the No. 13 Americans in the World Cup’s knockout stage. The winner of Group G will face a third-place team from Group A, E, H,I or J in the Round of 32. The winner of that match will face the Americans or a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I or J in the round of 16.
If the Iranians finish second or third in Group G, they wouldn’t face the Americans until the World Cup final if the teams progress that far.
FIFA World Cup: USA defeats Australia
Alex Freeman of the United States (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Australia in the first half during their FIFA World Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 19, 2026. Team USA defeated Australia 2-0. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
