Iranian footballers leave handwritten peace note in SoFi locker room after Belgium draw
After a 0-0 draw kept their World Cup hopes alive, Iran’s national team posted a handwritten message thanking Los Angeles for hospitality and calling for peace, while referencing a deadly US airstrike on a school.
A message of gratitude and peace
After the final whistle at SoFi Stadium, the Iranian squad left a handwritten note on the locker room whiteboard. The message, released by the Iranian football federation, blended a tribute to Persian heritage with a call for harmony. “From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” it read.
The note directly addressed the host city, which had staged both of Iran’s Group G matches.
It concluded by hoping that peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations.We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.
The Minab school bombing reference
Embedded in the text were the hashtags #Minab and #168. Those mark the US airstrike on a girls’ primary school in the Iranian city of Minab on the first day of the war, which according to UNICEF killed 168 people, mostly schoolgirls. The allusion turned the locker room message into a quiet protest against the same US administration that had imposed strict travel conditions on the team.
Travel restrictions and political tensions
Iran has been forced to base its World Cup campaign in Tijuana, Mexico, commuting to the United States only for match days and leaving immediately afterwards. US authorities have accepted just 53 members of the delegation; a number of staff and officials, including the federation president, have been barred. US Homeland Security official Markwayne Mullin said a person with direct ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tried to enter the day before the Belgium match, a claim the Iranian federation called “an outright and undeniable lie.”
The team touched down in Los Angeles on 14 June as President Donald Trump announced a preliminary peace deal to end the war. US Vice President JD Vance spoke of an opportunity to “turn over a new leaf,” yet the logistical hurdles did not ease. Fans opposing the Islamic Republic waved pre-revolutionary flags and booed the anthem, and at least one spectator was detained for trying to invade the pitch.
Coach and players speak out
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticised the arrangements, saying Iran reached the tournament in the worst possible conditions.
The midfielder added that the squad simply wants the entire travelling party to be admitted and to focus on football.We don’t ask for much. We just ask for the same procedure as for all the other 47 teams.
Two draws, one last chance
On the pitch, Iran are still in contention. They opened with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on 15 June and followed it with Sunday’s goalless stalemate against Belgium. Their final group fixture against Egypt awaits in Seattle on 27 June, and a win would send Team Melli to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
- President Trump announces preliminary US-Iran peace deal; Iran team arrives in Los Angeles from Tijuana.
- Iran draws 2-2 with New Zealand in Group G opener at SoFi Stadium.
- Iran draws 0-0 with Belgium; leaves handwritten note referencing Minab bombing.
- Iran faces Egypt in Seattle, chasing a first-ever knockout-stage spot.
