Iran Leaves "Peace" Note in Dressing Room after Facing Belgium at 2026 World Cup

JAKARTA - Iran left a handwritten note in the Los Angeles Stadium locker room after a 0-0 draw against Belgium on Monday, June 22, 2026 WIB.

The message, left after Iran played two 2026 World Cup games in Los Angeles, added that the team would leave the city "with dignity".

The news comes three days after the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) said it planned to lodge a complaint with FIFA amid a dispute over the team's travel arrangements for the match against Belgium.

"From ancient Persia thousands of years ago to today's civilized Iran, the Iranian spirit remains alive and strong. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and left with dignity."

"Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. Thank you to every Iranian citizen who has given their hearts, voices, and souls to Iran for these 180 minutes."

"May peace, respect, and friendship be established among all nations," the note reads, which was released by FFIRI.

Iran have to travel from their base in Tijuana, Mexico, to the United States (US) - where they will play all of their 2026 World Cup group stage matches.

As is known, Iran is restricted from entering the United States, only allowed to come a maximum of one day before the match.

Iran landed in the US on Saturday, June 20, 2026, local time, playing on Sunday, June 21, 2026, local time against Belgium. Then, they are scheduled to leave the US again on Sunday night to return to their training camp in Tijuana.

After the match, head coach Amir Ghalenoei also mentioned other factors that he thought made Iran's task very difficult, including visa complications when entering the US and Mexico, as well as the lack of preparation time before the tournament began.

He previously called Iran the most oppressed team in the entire World Cup.

After drawing their two matches against New Zealand and Belgium, Iran will play their final group match against Egypt at Seattle Stadium on June 27, 2026, knowing that a win will take them to the knockout stages.