Iran’s World Cup draw with Belgium turns into a political message campaign

Iran’s national team drew 0-0 with Belgium overnight Sunday to Monday, collecting its second point of the World Cup and keeping its hopes of advancing alive. Hours later, players left a written message in the locker room that state-linked Iranian outlets said was intended for “Iranians and people around the world.”

The note said Iran came from “ancient Iran” to “modern Iran,” that its spirit remained “alive and steady,” and that the team arrived in Los Angeles “with pride,” competed “with honor” and left “with honor.” It thanked Los Angeles for hosting the matches and thanked every Iranian who gave “heart, voice and soul” over the team’s 180 minutes in the tournament. The note ended with a wish that “peace, honor and friendship” would prevail among all nations.

The letter also included the hashtags “Minab” and “168.” Iran is competing under the name “Minab 168,” which the Iranian media says commemorates a deadly attack on the Shajra Taybeh girls’ school in the city of Minab on the first day of Operation “Roar of the Lion.” Iranian reports say 168 people were killed, and the attack has become a symbol frequently invoked by officials. The Iranian negotiating delegation also uses the same name, and Iranian media showed matching pins worn by its members.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote on X that “from the football pitch to the negotiating table to the battlefield, every step we take as Iranians is part of a larger struggle: defending the honor and dignity of our dear people.” Foreign ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei reposted it. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also posted a dramatic image from the Belgium match and wrote, “This is how we protect our land,” as talks with the Americans in Switzerland were ending.

At the same time, opposition outlet Iran International aired footage of fans booing the Islamic Republic anthem before the Belgium match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and reported that some Iranian supporters entered with pre-1979 Lion and Sun flags and that regime opponents held a protest outside the stadium. Another attendee was shown holding a sign against the arrest of former Iranian goalkeeper Rashid Mazaheri, who state media said was detained in West Azerbaijan in May for allegedly trying to leave Iran illegally and bribing border guards.