NEW DELHI: Iran’s football team has again won praise for a heartwarming gesture off the field after their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Egypt in Seattle.After the 1-1 draw, which helped Egypt qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history, Iranian players left a handwritten message in the dressing room thanking the hosts and highlighting the values ​​of fair play and sport.
Iran’s message about fair play
The message, shared by Tasnim News Agency on X, focuses on respect, honor and the true spirit of football.“We come from Iran… A land that, for thousands of years, has valued honor above victory. For us, football is more than a competition for results; it is a test of character. Maybe points can be earned in many ways, but respect cannot. Maybe a team can advance from a group, but only for fairness and honor can it stand tall in front of history. Fair play is not just a line in the rules of football; it is the soul of the game. Thank you, Seattle, for your hospitality and thank you to all Iranians, who gave their hearts, their voices and their all for Iran. Iran, still on high,” read the note.
Second message in two parts
It was the second time during the tournament that Iran had left a heartfelt note in the dressing room.After their goalless draw against Belgium at SoFi Stadium, the team thanked Los Angeles for their hospitality and reflected on their journey.“From ancient Persia thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” read the handwritten note, which was released by Iran’s football federation.“Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality. We arrived in Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and left with dignity,” he concluded.
Egypt created history
In the field, Egypt secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup knockout phase with a 1-1 draw.Mahmoud Saber gave Egypt the lead after Mohamed Salah’s effort was parried by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.Iran had a chance to equalize from the penalty spot, but Mostafa Shobeir saved Mehdi Taremi’s spot-kick before Ramin Rezaeian finished the scoring. Rezaeian’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award.Iran thought they had found a dramatic winner in stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Shobeir then made another important save to preserve the draw and send Egypt into the knockout stages.
