Iranian World Cup team leaves message behind after surprise draw with Belgium

Sports & Gaming Iranian World Cup team leaves message behind after surprise draw with Belgium Comments: by Tara Suter - 06/22/26 3:27 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Tara Suter - 06/22/26 3:27 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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The Iranian men’s national soccer team left a note behind at SoFi Stadium, just outside of Los Angeles, after it drew with Belgium in what was seen as a World Cup surprise.

In a Sunday post on the social platform X, Iranian defender Ramin Rezaian posted a photo of a note on a sheet of paper written in blue ink, calling it a “special message from the national team in the locker room to Iranians and people around the world.”

“From the Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” the note reads. “We came to Los Angeles with Pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.”

“Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality,” the note continues. “And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice, and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes. May peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations.

The note also includes a reference to the lethal bombing of an Iranian girls school at the start of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, in which more than 150 people, mostly children, were killed. Defense Department officials have said that the incident was being investigated, however, they have not said publicly they were behind the casualties.

Iran and Belgium tied in a 0-0 game on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.’s SoFi Stadium. In a FIFA ranking from earlier this month, Belgium was the #9 team in the world, while Iran was 11 spots behind them at #20.

The crowd at the game was largely pro-Iran, a reflection of the large diaspora in southern California.

This year’s World Cup, being hosted in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, comes amid heightened global tensions between Iran and the U.S. given the war.

Last month, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country would host Iran’s men’s team, as Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj had said a few days before that the Iranian team’s training base was moved to Mexico under FIFA approval from Arizona, per ESPN.

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