Where this was said
The Iranian Team's Locker Room Notes
At 8:30 · chapter starts 7:45
Despite being forced to travel to Tijuana, denied staff support, and labeled as enemy combatants, the Iranian team left heartfelt handwritten notes in the locker rooms of both Seattle's stadium and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The Seattle note invoked thousands of years of Persian civilization, stated that football is a test of character rather than just results, and declared that 'respect cannot be won' through points alone. The Los Angeles note echoed this spirit, concluding with a wish for peace, respect, and friendship among all nations. Meiselas reads both in full, clearly moved, and positions them as the enduring moral legacy of Iran's 2026 World Cup campaign — far outlasting any scoreline.
The Iranian team left a handwritten note in the Seattle stadium locker room expressing gratitude and invoking the spirit of Persian civilization despite their treatment.
Despite being forced to travel to Tijuana at 4 AM and having staff barred from entering the US, the Iranian team left handwritten notes in both Seattle and Los Angeles locker rooms invoking Persian civilization and thanking their hosts. It was a master class in grace under pressure.
The Trump White House stole video footage from Seattle journalist Aaron Levine to produce pro-America propaganda — despite Trump repeatedly calling Seattle a shithole city. The hypocrisy became an instant punchline.
