local
Iran football team leaves note of gratitude and peace following Sunday's match
By Kelly Broderick at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 22, 2026
· 2 min read
The Iranian national football team left a handwritten note in its locker room following its group stage match against Belgium on Sunday.The note stated that the players came to the United States with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.RELATED STORY | Visa denials, high ticket pric...
Key takeaway RELATED STORY | Visa denials, high ticket prices, Ebola shadow 2026 World CupThey also thanked Los Angeles for its hospitality.
Why this matters in The Waco
The Iranian national football team's heartfelt note, expressing gratitude for the hospitality they received, is a poignant reminder of the power of sports to transcend borders and foster global understanding. As the team prepares to face Egypt in Seattle, Waco residents may be interested to know that the team's journey to the US was not without its challenges, including travel restrictions that forced them to establish a home base in Tijuana, Mexico. The team's experience highlights the complexities of international sports competitions, where geopolitical tensions and logistical hurdles can impact even the most seemingly apolitical events. As the World Cup continues, it will be worth watching how the Iranian team's story unfolds, and whether their message of peace and respect resonates with fans in the US and around the world. The team's determination to succeed despite adversity is a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines the beautiful game.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Waco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Iranian national football team left a handwritten note in its locker room following its group stage match against Belgium on Sunday.The note stated that the players came to the United States with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.RELATED STORY | Visa denials, high ticket pric...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kelly Broderick at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter