Iran's World Cup team leaves handwritten thank-you note in LA locker room

Iran's national football team has drawn attention for leaving a handwritten thank-you note in the locker room after their match at the 2026 North America World Cup, amid significant difficulties that included being barred from setting up a base camp in the United States.

Iran drew 0-0 with Belgium on June 22 in their second Group G match at Los Angeles Stadium in California.

In the note, the squad wrote: "From ancient Persia thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the Iranian spirit lives on unshaken. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity."

The note also included the phrase "168 Minab" — a reference to the deaths of 168 elementary school students in the southern Iranian city of Minab, killed in a mistaken US airstrike during a joint US-Israeli attack on the Iranian capital Tehran on Feb. 28.

The team also expressed gratitude in the note. "We thank Los Angeles for its warm hospitality," the squad wrote, "and we thank every Iranian who gave their heart, voice and soul for Iran during these 180 minutes."

The note concluded with a wish "for peace, respect and friendship among all nations."

Iran set up its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, after US entry restrictions prevented the team from staying in the country during the tournament. Some staff members and officials were also denied entry to the United States.

Iran played both their matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, forcing the squad to make repeated round trips between LA and Tijuana throughout the tournament.

The United States and Iran held their first high-level follow-up negotiations in Switzerland on June 22 following the signing of a ceasefire memorandum of understanding, and agreed to continue working-level talks.