Iran sends National Team off in Tehran farewell ahead of 2026 World Cup
Ceremony in Enqelab Square highlights political undertones as players prepare for matches in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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Iran held a farewell ceremony for its national football team in preparation for their participation in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The players, dressed in red and black sports suits, appeared on a platform set up in Enqelab Square in downtown Tehran, where crowds gathered to cheer, according to videos broadcast by state television.
Also attending the event were the national team coach Amir Ghalenoei and the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj.
Iran in the 2026 World Cup
Taj stated, "The national team players at the World Cup will represent the people, the fighters of the country, the leader (Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei), and the homeland."
He added, "Our national team is a football team in wartime," pointing out that the team will be "a pillar of power and resistance" in Iran.
Participants in the ceremony waved flags, chanted slogans, and some held banners and pictures of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who was killed during the American-Israeli attacks on Iran that ignited the Middle East war.
The Iranian team is set to be based in Tucson, Arizona during the finals, where they will face teams from New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G.
Their campaign in the World Cup will begin against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.