Sports · 13 May, 2026 · 3 min read
Masoud Pezeshkian Urges Iran’s National Team To Fight For Iran’s Pride Ahead Of 2026 World Cup
Pezeshkian visited Iran's national team camp on the eve of departure for the World Cup. He urged national unity and dignified representation on the global stage.
Whether the narrative foregrounds a military/IRGC lens.
7 of 8 outlets skipped it: IRGC aerospace commander posted a direct pep-talk message..
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ISNA News Agency
“Highlighting the role of sports in strengthening social capital”Read the original ↗
Frames differ: ideological/military symbolism versus civic-sports-national pride.
Farewell in Tehran
Iran’s national football team held a public farewell ceremony in Tehran’s Enghelab Square on Wednesday night ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with thousands of supporters gathering to bid farewell to Team Melli. The event came just hours after President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the national team’s training camp alongside Minister of Sports Ahmad Donyamali, where they met with players and coaching staff on the eve of the squad’s departure for the World Cup. Addressing the players, Pezeshkian said, “What matters to us is sincere effort, responsibility, and using every capacity for the pride of Iran,” and urged them to “fight for the name of Iran.”
The ceremony included the unveiling of Iran’s official 2026 World Cup jersey featuring the iconic Asiatic cheetah, and the official anthem performed by Iranian singer Parvaz Homay was also unveiled for the first time during the event. Captain Ehsan Hajsafi read the squad’s official pledge on behalf of the players and coaching staff, promising the team would fight with full determination and commitment to bring pride and honor to Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
IRGC message and covenant
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) aerospace force, Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Moosavi, issued a message of support to the national football team. Moosavi’s pep talk, posted on social media, told the players, “your real support comes from the heartfelt prayers of the Iranian people, who stand with you every step of the way,” and also quoted General Hossein Salami saying, “If you want to lift the trophy, play as a team.” At the Enghelab Square ceremony, Ehsan Hajsafi read the team’s covenant, which said, “The 2026 World Cup is being held while our dear country, Iran, is at war with warmongering countries.”
The covenant added that under bombs and shelling, the players “have worked to elevate the flag of our dear Iran on the international stage,” and said they were “proud to bear the emblem of the children of Minab on our chests.” Press TV also described the send-off as “carnival-like,” with thousands of supporters chanting and waving flags as the kit was unveiled.
World Cup conditions and camps
While the farewell ceremony unfolded in Tehran, the Iranian Football Federation and FIFA were still in discussions about Iran’s participation, with Football Federation President Mehdi Taj saying Iran had submitted ten official conditions to FIFA. Taj said one key demand was the unrestricted issuance of visas for all Iranian delegation members, adding, “We are not guests of the host country; we are guests of FIFA,” and insisting FIFA must guarantee attendance “without discrimination or restriction.” The federation’s preparations continued at the National Center under an experienced coaching staff, with dozens of training sessions and two friendly matches scheduled to continue until the team’s departure to Turkey.
The federation also said the team qualified for the tournament on merit and that Iran’s participation is steadfast, warning that the real battle is on the football pitch and urging the host against trying to move the conflict to other arenas. Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei was scheduled to depart for Turkey for a final preparation camp before traveling to the United States to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.