After their 0-0 draw with Belgium on Sunday, Iran left a handwritten note inside their dressing room at Los Angeles Stadium that referenced “peace.”
The note followed Iran’s first two World Cup matches in Los Angeles and stated that the team would leave the city “with dignity.”
The message read: “From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast.”
It continued: “We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. 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.”
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This came three days after Iran’s football federation announced plans to file a complaint with FIFA amid a dispute regarding travel arrangements for the Belgium match.
The team’s movements during the World Cup have been restricted before and during the competition.
According to the report, Iran traveled from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, arriving in the United States on Saturday night, playing Belgium at midday local time Sunday, and departing later that night.
Following the match, head coach Amir Ghalenoei addressed several issues he said made the team’s preparation and performance challenging.
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He mentioned that visa complications when entering both the U.S. and Mexico and a lack of preparation time before the tournament began had created difficulties for the team.
Ghalenoei also described Iran as “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.”
Los Angeles hosts the largest Iranian population of any city in the United States, adding personal importance to the team’s visit.
Iran have drawn both of their Group G games against New Zealand and Belgium, setting up a final group-stage match against Egypt at Seattle Stadium on June 26.
The team’s scenario was stated clearly — a win in that match would secure a place in the tournament’s knockout stages.
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