Iran leave note in dressing room following 1-1 draw with Egypt at 2026 FIFA World Cup - 'Thank you, Seattle'

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Having left a handwritten note in their dressing room at the stadium in Inglewood following the 0-0 World Cup draw with Belgium on Sunday, Iran did so again in Seattle after their 1-1 stalemate with Egypt.

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Iran played out a goalless stalemate in their Group G clash at the Los Angeles Stadium with The Red Devils last weekend, days after Team Melli twice came from behind in their 2-2 draw with New Zealand.

Iran have overcome a number of visa issues to make the trip to North America, with the war in the Middle East impacting their pre-tournament plans.

As a result, Iran changed their training base to Tijuana, Mexico, and were made to travel from their camp on Saturday night for their meeting with Belgium, which kicked off last Sunday midday, local time.

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The national team were then due to leave the US to return to Mexico by Sunday night, giving them no time to properly recover following a backs-to-the-wall performance.

Belgium dominated their group clash, but were unable to break Amir Ghalenoei's side down.

Iran were gifted a numerical advantage when Nathan Ngoy received his marching orders midway through the second half.

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However, they failed to capitalise upon Ngoy's dismissal as they shared the spoils with the European powerhouses.

After the draw with Belgium, the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) revealed the handwritten note in full.

"From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast," it read.

"We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity.

"Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice, and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes.

"May peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations."

It comes after head coach Ghalenoei deemed Iran to be the "most oppressed team in the whole World Cup".

"We spent so much time in the air commuting, they didn't even give us time to recover," the 62-year-old said via an interpreter.

"After the game today, they said to us, 'You have to leave immediately'.

"It's very important for us to have time for recovery, but we've been told to return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.

"I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup."

Iran ended their group stage campaign in third place, and need results elsewhere to go their way in order to book a knockout stage spot following their 1-1 draw with Egypt.

Team Melli were denied a late winner as Shoja Khalilzadeh was adjudged to have been in an offside position during a last-gasp goalmouth scramble.

Yet despite the contentious call, Iran left another post-match handwritten note, thanking Seattle for their hospitality before jetting back to Mexico.

"We come from Iran... From a land that, for thousands of years, has placed honour above victory," the note began.

"For us, football is not only a competition for results, it is a test of character.

"Perhaps points can be won in many ways, but respect cannot. Perhaps a team can advance from a group, but only through fairness and honour can one stand tall before history.

"Fair play is not just a line in football's rules. 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 whole being for Iran. Iran, always standing tall."

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