Iran leaves a handwritten note in the Los Angeles locker room asking for peace
Iran’s men’s soccer team left an emotional handwritten note in its dressing room at the SoFi Stadium on Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality and saying it was leaving “with dignity” after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium kept their World Cup hopes alive.
A message released by the Iran Football Federation after the match reflected both the team’s pride and the challenges it faced during the tournament, while also carrying a plea for peace. Iran remain in contention for a place in the knockout stages ahead of their final Group G game against Egypt in Seattle.
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“From ancient Persia thousands of years ago to today’s civilized Iran, the spirit of Iran remains alive and unwavering,” the note said.
“Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. A note from the Iran national football team in the dressing room of SoFi Stadium (@KZiabari Photo)
“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor and left with dignity.”
The note also paid tribute to the Iranian fans who supported the team during their two matches at the SoFi Stadium.
“Thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice and soul for Iran during these 180 minutes,” it continued.
“Let there be peace, respect and friendship among all nations.”
The message carried the hashtags #168 and #Minab, references to the bombing of a school in the Iranian city of Minab during the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. While death tolls have varied in reports, the attack remains one of the most tragic incidents of the war.
Los Angeles hosted both of Iran’s Group G matches, with the team traveling from its base in Tijuana, Mexico for each match. Iran opened their campaign earlier with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand frustrating Belgium in a goalless stalemate on Sunday.
The support in Los Angeles often made it feel like a home game against Iran. The city is home to one of the world’s largest Iranian communities outside of Iran, creating a vibrant atmosphere during both matches.
However, political differences were evident among supporters. Some fans waved an Islamic Republic flag emblazoned with the name of God, while others carried a pre-1979 revolutionary lion and sun flag, a symbol widely used by Iran’s opposition.
Iran’s travel arrangements also drew attention during the tournament. Due to restrictions imposed by US immigration authorities, the team was not allowed to stay in the United States for more than 48 hours at a time. As a result, Iran moved its base camp from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana and commuted across the border for matches.
Several members of the delegation also encountered difficulties entering the country. Some officials and support staff were denied visas, while winger Mehdi Torabi was forced to obtain a new visa at the US consulate in Tijuana after his single-entry permit expired after the New Zealand match.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticized the restrictions, claiming his players faced circumstances unlike any other team in the tournament.
After a draw with Belgium Ghalenoei described Iran as “the most downtrodden team in the entire World Cup” and praised his players for producing a “beautiful game” despite what he called “the worst possible conditions” in the competition.
Iran now head to Seattle knowing that a positive result against Egypt could secure them a historic place in the knockout rounds.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
22 Jun 2026 10:36 IST