Iran leave handwritten note in Los Angeles locker room and it has a plea for peace
FIFA World Cup: Iran's players left an emotional handwritten message in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality and supporters for standing by the team during a challenging World Cup campaign.
Iran's men's football team left an emotional handwritten note in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality and declaring they were departing "with dignity" after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium kept their FIFA World Cup hopes alive.
The message, released by Iran's football federation after the match, reflected both the team's pride and the challenges it has faced throughout the tournament, while also carrying a plea for peace. Iran remain in contention for a place in the knockout stage ahead of their final Group G match against Egypt in Seattle.
FIFA WORLD CUP, BELGIUM VS IRAN HIGHLIGHTS
"From ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast," the note read.
"Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality.
"We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour and leave with dignity."
The note also paid tribute to the Iranian supporters who backed the team during their two matches at SoFi Stadium.
"Thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes," it continued.
"May peace, respect and friendship prevail 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 involving the United States and Iran. While casualty figures 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 fixtures, with the team travelling from its base in Tijuana, Mexico, for each match. Iran opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand before frustrating Belgium in a goalless stalemate on Sunday.
The support in Los Angeles often made it feel like a home game for Iran. The city is home to one of the world's largest Iranian communities outside Iran, creating a vibrant atmosphere during both matches.
There were, however, visible political divisions among supporters. Some fans waved the Islamic Republic flag, adorned with the name of God, while others carried the pre-1979 revolution lion-and-sun flag, a symbol widely used by the Iranian opposition.
Iran's travel arrangements have also drawn attention during the tournament. Due to restrictions imposed by US immigration authorities, the team has not been permitted to stay in the United States for longer than 48 hours at a time. As a result, Iran relocated its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana and has been commuting across the border for matches.
Several members of the delegation have 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 following the New Zealand match.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticised the restrictions, arguing that his players have faced circumstances unlike any other team at the tournament.
Following the draw with Belgium, Ghalenoei described Iran as the "most oppressed team in the whole World Cup" and praised his players for producing a "beautiful game" despite what he called the "worst possible conditions" heading into the competition.
Iran now head to Seattle knowing that a positive result against Egypt could secure a historic place in the knockout rounds.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
Iran's men's football team left an emotional handwritten note in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality and declaring they were departing "with dignity" after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium kept their FIFA World Cup hopes alive.
The message, released by Iran's football federation after the match, reflected both the team's pride and the challenges it has faced throughout the tournament, while also carrying a plea for peace. Iran remain in contention for a place in the knockout stage ahead of their final Group G match against Egypt in Seattle.
FIFA WORLD CUP, BELGIUM VS IRAN HIGHLIGHTS
"From ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast," the note read.
"Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality.
"We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour and leave with dignity."
The note also paid tribute to the Iranian supporters who backed the team during their two matches at SoFi Stadium.
"Thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes," it continued.
"May peace, respect and friendship prevail 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 involving the United States and Iran. While casualty figures 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 fixtures, with the team travelling from its base in Tijuana, Mexico, for each match. Iran opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand before frustrating Belgium in a goalless stalemate on Sunday.
The support in Los Angeles often made it feel like a home game for Iran. The city is home to one of the world's largest Iranian communities outside Iran, creating a vibrant atmosphere during both matches.
There were, however, visible political divisions among supporters. Some fans waved the Islamic Republic flag, adorned with the name of God, while others carried the pre-1979 revolution lion-and-sun flag, a symbol widely used by the Iranian opposition.
Iran's travel arrangements have also drawn attention during the tournament. Due to restrictions imposed by US immigration authorities, the team has not been permitted to stay in the United States for longer than 48 hours at a time. As a result, Iran relocated its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana and has been commuting across the border for matches.
Several members of the delegation have 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 following the New Zealand match.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticised the restrictions, arguing that his players have faced circumstances unlike any other team at the tournament.
Following the draw with Belgium, Ghalenoei described Iran as the "most oppressed team in the whole World Cup" and praised his players for producing a "beautiful game" despite what he called the "worst possible conditions" heading into the competition.
Iran now head to Seattle knowing that a positive result against Egypt could secure a historic place in the knockout rounds.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
