Iran's national football team received a spirited send-off on Wednesday as they prepare to represent the nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The ceremony, held in Tehran's iconic Enghelab Square, was a powerful display of unity and national pride.

Players, clad in striking red and black tracksuits, took to the stage as crowds cheered and waved flags, according to state television footage. The atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting slogans and holding placards honoring the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the US-Israel attacks on Iran that sparked the ongoing Middle East conflict. One sign read: "For the blood of the martyrs, sing the national anthem with firmness and without hesitation."

Mehdi Taj, president of Iran's football federation, addressed the crowd with a stirring message, declaring, "Our national team is the national football team of wartime." He added that the players would serve as a "pillar of authority and resistance" on the global stage, representing not just the team but the entire nation, its fighters, and its leadership. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei and federation officials were also in attendance.

Iran has been drawn into Group G, where they will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. The team will be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the tournament, kicking off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. As the squad prepares to compete on one of football's biggest stages, this send-off underscores the deep connection between sport, national identity, and resilience—values that resonate with fans and athletes alike.