Read 3 minutesUpdated: June 27, 2026 09:10 PM IST
The Iran football team left another handwritten note after their 1-1 draw against Egypt on Saturday.
“We come from Iran…..#IRI A land that, for thousands of years, has placed honor above victory. For us, football is not just a contest of results, but a test of character. Maybe points can be won in many ways, but honor cannot be earned. Maybe a team can advance from a group, but only by standing together with fairness and honor. Playing football is not the rule of history, but the rule of playing the ball. Of the game,” the note read.
Iran was originally scheduled for their World Cup campaign in Tucson, Arizona, but after the US government prevented the team from camping in the country during the US–Iran War, they were forced to move to Tijuana, Mexico, forcing them to leave US cities on the same night as their World Cup matches. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi slammed FIFA and US officials, calling the World Cup a ‘disaster World Cup’.
“We come from Iran…..#IRI A land that, for thousands of years, has placed honor above victory. For us, football is not just a contest of results, but a test of character. Maybe points can be won in many ways, but honor cannot be earned. Maybe a team can advance from a group, but only by standing together with fairness and honor. Playing football is not the rule of history, but the rule of playing the ball. Of the game,” the note read.
Iran left another handwritten note in their dressing room after the Egypt game in Seattle pic.twitter.com/pDag35oYXt
— James Ducker (@Telegraph Ducker) 27 June 2026
Iran was originally scheduled to set up base for its World Cup campaign in Tucson, Arizona, but after the US government prevented the country’s football team from setting up a base in the country during the US-Iran war, they were forced to set up camp in Tijuana, Mexico, forcing the team to leave American cities on the same night as their World Cup matches. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi slammed FIFA and US officials, calling the World Cup a ‘disaster World Cup’.
“It’s a disaster World Cup; a disaster. I mean, FIFA, they want to solve every problem here but unfortunately they couldn’t solve it from the beginning. FIFA president Gianni Infantino came into our changing room after the first match against New Zealand and said, ‘This is the beginning…’ but the group stage match ends tomorrow,” captain Mehdi said.
In an earlier note released after the game against Belgium, Iran appealed for calm.
“From ancient Persia thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran is alive and well,” the note read, “We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor and left with honor.
Story continues below this ad
“Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave heart, voice and soul for Iran during these 180 minutes.
“Let peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations.”