Iran issue scathing final handwritten note after controversial World Cup exit
Iran's final dressing room note has been revealed, following the team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
The Middle Eastern side finished as the ninth-best third-place team, meaning they fell short of qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament. Iran exited the World Cup after drawing all three of their Group Stage matches, with a stoppage-time goal against Egypt in Seattle ruled offside.
However, the side didn't leave without making one final dig at the US over allegations of unfair treatment, which comes months after President Donald Trump launched a joint attack on the country with Israel.
The note began by thanking the Mexican city of Tijuana, where the Iranian team camp had to be based, writing: "To the noble people of Mexico and the beautiful city of Tijuana, thank you!
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"You showed us that hosting a FIFA World Cup is about far more than stadiums and tickets. True hosting is about respect, humanity and dignity."
"We will never forget the kindness of the people of Tijuana. From this day forward, Mexico will always be more than a host nation to us; it will be our second home and our second team."
The team then went on to question their treatment throughout the tournament, asking if the rules applied 'equally' to all teams in the tournament.
"What we experienced was a series of decisions, logistical arrangements, and circumstances that undermined the sense of fairness – an impression only reinforced by the events of the final matchday of our group.
“Perhaps one day history will judge who genuinely welcomed Iran’s presence at this World Cup, and who would have preferred our journey to end much sooner.
"For us, fair play is not a slogan printed on advertising boards; it is the very identity of football. Yet this tournament reminded us that there is still a significant distance between inspiring words and meaningful actions," the note continued.
"We leave Tijuana believing that football fans around the world witnessed not only the hardship endured by Iranian football, but also the resilience of a nation that refused to trade its dignity, horror, and values despite every challenge.
"And we will never forget that those who celebrated Iran’s elimination were the same people who had previously celebrated the suffering and loss of innocent Iranian lives. That alone reveals the difference in how humanity is understood.
"World Cups come to an end. Administrators change, but civilisations such as Iran, Egypt and Mexico – built upon truth, respect, and human dignity – endure through history.
"Match results become part of football history. The honour of nations becomes part of human history. With respect, Iranian National Team."
Iran's time at the World Cup was overshadowed by a shaky ceasefire with the US.
The team was forced to return to their training camp in Mexico after matches in the States, leading head coach Amir Ghalenoei to claim his side were treated 'unfairly' by the US.
"To my players and the team, I want to say to them I'm proud of them. What these young people, these players have done, it should be written in history because the host country treated us very unfairly," Ghalenoei said after the match against Egypt in Seattle.
"Despite all of these problems, we've been able to perform well and the world is proud of Iranians and our team."
Brenna Cooper