Players from the Iranian men’s national soccer team left a handwritten thank-you note in the SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday [1].

The gesture serves as a rare moment of diplomatic goodwill between athletes from two nations with strained relations during a global tournament.

The note was left following a 0-0 draw between Iran and Belgium during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1]. The match took place in Inglewood, California, where the team shared their gratitude for the city's welcome [2].

According to the handwritten message, the team said, "Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality. We hope for peace" [1]. Another version of the note cited by reports said, "We are grateful to the people of Los Angeles for welcoming us and we wish for peace in the world" [2].

While some reports focused primarily on the gratitude for the city, others highlighted the specific call for global peace [1], [3]. The players left the message in the dressing room after playing before sell-out crowds of approximately 70,000 spectators [2].

The Iranian squad utilized the platform of the World Cup to engage with the local community in the U.S. The team's decision to leave a physical message in the stadium ensures the sentiment remains at the venue after the match concluded [2].

“"Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality. We hope for peace."”

The use of a sporting event to convey a message of peace reflects the 'soft power' potential of the FIFA World Cup. By addressing the citizens of Los Angeles specifically, the Iranian team bypassed official government channels to establish a direct, emotional connection with the American public, emphasizing shared humanity over political friction.