FIFA President Infantino congratulates Iran national team players in the locker room
While the match between Iran and New Zealand in the 2026 World Cup ended in a 2-2 draw, the strong stance displayed by the Iranian players despite all the difficulties they faced did not go unnoticed.
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In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G match, Iran and New Zealand left the pitch with a draw. Along with the match itself, the training camp uncertainties and administrative problems experienced by the Iranian national team were also on the agenda. While the team had to change their training camp locations frequently before the tournament, visa issues encountered upon entry to the USA and obstacles regarding the participation of their fans in the event had created pressure on the players and the technical staff.
Following the match against New Zealand, which ended 2-2, a surprise development occurred. FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Iranian national team's locker room to boost the players' morale. In his speech there, Infantino stated the following: “I know what you are going through, I understand, but you are stronger than everything. You showed the whole world that you are in the World Cup. You united the stadium behind the team. You are sending a strong message to the world.”
The Iranian national team earned the appreciation of football fans with the struggle and resilience they showed despite the difficulties they faced throughout the tournament. The team, which struggled with various obstacles, received praise from sports authorities, both biased and neutral, for their performance on the pitch. As the FIFA President also emphasized, the Iranian players managed to send a message of unity and perseverance, not just through a sports match, but also despite challenging conditions.