After the match against Egypt, the Iran players left a handwritten note in the dressing room.
The Iranian national team shared a heartfelt message about fair play being “the soul of the game” in a handwritten note left in their dressing room after their last World Cup group match against Egypt.
Right now, Iran is unbeaten and has an 86.23% chance of making it to the round of 32, according to Opta. Amir Ghalenoei’s team is third in Group G, behind Egypt and Belgium, but with three points under their belt, they’re likely to move on as one of the best third-place teams.
A 1-1 draw against Egypt on Friday was seen as a good result, especially since Iran came from behind after Mahmoud Saber scored early for Egypt in Seattle. At one point, it seemed like Shoja Khalilzadeh had scored a late winning goal in the 93rd minute, but it was ruled offside.
Although the result didn’t guarantee them a spot in the knockout rounds, Iran still left a touching note in the dressing room. It said: “We come from Iran, a land that values honor above victory. For us, football is more than just winning—it’s a test of character. You can win points in many ways, but respect cannot be bought.
“A team may advance, but only through fairness and honor can one stand tall in history. Fair play isn’t just a rule in football; it’s the soul of the game.”
The note also said: “Thank you, Seattle, for your hospitality, and thank you to all Iranians who gave their hearts, voices, and everything for Iran. Iran always stands tall.”
On the day of the Egypt match, the US reacted by firing radar, drone, and missile sites after what Donald Trump called a “foolish” ceasefire violation by Iran the day before.
Earlier, after their draw against Belgium on June 21, Iran left another note in the dressing room at Los Angeles Stadium. It said: “From ancient Persia to the modern Iran, our spirit remains strong. We came to Los Angeles with pride, played with honor, and leave with dignity. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart and soul during these 180 minutes. May peace, respect, and friendship live among all nations.”
This note also mentioned the tragic deaths of 168 people in February, killed by a missile strike on a school in Minab during the start of the US-Iran conflict. At least 120 of the victims were children, along with teachers, parents, and school staff. Investigations suggested the missile was likely a US-made Tomahawk.