Handwritten letter found in Los Angeles locker room after Iran’s latest match at the World Cup
Iranian supporters in Los Angeles also paid tribute to the 168 people killed in the US airstrike in Minab, Iran (Image: Getty Images)
A handwritten letter from the Iranian soccer team was found in the World Cup locker room. Iran drew 0-0 with Belgium in the final group match, giving them a chance to advance to the final round.
The match took place against a backdrop of tensions between the United States and Iran, with President Donald Trump threatening to “hit Iran hard again.” This Truth Social post comes as Iran accuses the US and Israel of violating the recent ceasefire and is in the midst of re-blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
A handwritten note was found in the changing room after Iran’s soccer team drew with Belgium. The report cited 168 people, mostly children, who were killed in a US airstrike on a school in Minab shortly after the US-led war with Iran began in February.
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“From ancient Persia thousands of years ago to today’s civilized Iran, the spirit of Iran remains unwaveringly alive. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed for honor, and left with dignity. Los Angeles, thank you for your hospitality,” the letter said.
“And thank you to all the Iranians who gave their hearts, voices and souls for Iran throughout these 180 minutes (the two games Iran played in Los Angeles). May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations,” he said, while also including the phrases “#168” and “#minab”, a reference to the strike.
This note was found in Iran’s locker room.
This is the second time Iranian players have paid their respects to the 168 people killed in the airstrike. When they arrived to compete in the World Cup, each player wore a pin embroidered with “#168#” on their blazer.
There is great tension between the football team and the US authorities. Before the game against Belgium, US Secretary of Homeland Security Mark Wayne Marin claimed that someone impersonating Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, who has “direct ties” to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), attempted to board a flight with the soccer team to Los Angeles but was stopped.
Iranian soccer team has a big chance of advancing to the finals tournament for the first time in history (Image: Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
The Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) said the claim was a “lie” and an attempt to sabotage the World Cup. Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei also said that he had to cut practice time in half as a result of the travel disruptions the team has had to endure.
He also said the team was forced to leave the United States immediately after the game and return to its home base in Tijuana, Mexico, instead of resting at a hotel near the stadium.
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