The Iran national soccer team left a handwritten note in their Los Angeles locker room after a match this Sunday [1].

The gesture highlights the intersection of international sports and geopolitical friction, as the team used the World Cup platform to address tensions with the U.S. government.

The note was left at SoFi Stadium following a 0-0 draw [1] against Belgium. In the message, the players thanked the city of Los Angeles for its hospitality [1]. The text also included a call for peace, respect, and friendship among nations, stating, "We leave with dignity and call for peace, respect and friendship among nations" [2].

Some reports indicate the note contained a subtle critique of President Donald Trump (R-FL) [2]. This follows previous comments from the president suggesting that Iran could be excluded from the tournament [3]. A spokesperson for the Iran national soccer team said, "No one can exclude it from the World Cup" [3].

While some summaries describe the letter as a "sly dig" at the U.S. president [2], other reports said the note focused on gratitude and peace without making an explicit reference to Trump [1]. The team's departure from the venue marked the end of their stay in the host city.

The Iranian squad used the handwritten medium to communicate directly from the locker room—a space typically reserved for athletic strategy—to the public and the host nation.

“"Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality."”

The incident underscores the precarious nature of 'sports diplomacy' when athletes from adversarial nations compete on U.S. soil. By framing their exit around 'dignity' and 'peace' while simultaneously pushing back against threats of exclusion, the Iranian team attempted to reclaim a narrative of legitimacy and international belonging despite ongoing diplomatic hostility between Tehran and Washington.