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The president of FIFA praised the determination of the players
FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid a humanitarian visit to the Iran national team dressing room in Los Angeles after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand in the first leg, where he wanted to send a message of support and encouragement to the players facing exceptional circumstances off the pitch.
According to a video shared by several international media outlets, Infantino was accompanied by Ambassador Yuri Djorkaeff, and both expressed their pride in the Iranian team’s performance despite the logistical and political challenges of its participation.
The U.S.-led war in Iran forced the team to move its training camp from Arizona to Mexico, and about 15 members of the delegation were denied entry visas, forcing it to move between countries frequently in preparation for matches.
In his locker room speech, Infantino said: “Today’s match was difficult, and if you were a little bit lucky, you would have won. You represent your families, your people, and the entire world, and what you have represented today is a message of strength and unity.
He jokingly added. “If your coach agrees, I can play as a striker in the next game.”
Despite the diplomatically friendly speech, media reported that some players of the Iranian national team expressed their displeasure after the game, considering that the FIFA president’s words did not translate into practical support in light of the difficulties facing the team.
The visit comes at a sensitive time when Iran’s national team is witnessing unprecedented political pressure, while the International Federation tries to maintain a delicate balance between its sporting responsibilities and the demands of the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the World Cup.
