Iran thanks – After Iran’s World Cup campaign ended when Algeria and Austria played to a 3-3 draw, the Iranian team posted a message of thanks to Mexico on its official Instagram—praising the country’s support during a last-minute base-camp move from Tucson, Arizona to Tiju
In Seattle, ahead of Iran’s match against Egypt, the emotion around Team Melli had already shifted from scoreboard hopes to something more personal: gratitude.
It began after Iran was knocked out of the World Cup. not by its own final result but by outcomes in the last group-stage game. Algeria and Austria finished tied 3-3, sending Iran home. Soon after. Iran marked the end of its run by posting a thank-you to its hosts in Mexico on the team’s official Instagram page.
The post showed clasped hands—one wearing a Mexico sweatband and the other an Iran sweatband—framed by a soccer stadium setting with fireworks exploding in the background. Team Melli wrote in Spanish: “Thank you for opening your doors to us,” adding, “Your act will stay in your hearts.”
For Iran, that message carried weight because Mexico had been more than a backdrop. The team was forced to move its base camp from Tucson. Arizona to Tijuana. Mexico at the eleventh hour. after restrictions imposed on the team by the U.S. government. Players and coach Amir Ghalenoei have repeatedly expressed their gratitude for the support they said they received in Mexico.
Iran trained at Club Tijuana, and fans showed up in ways that blurred the lines between teams and countries. Supporters attended Iran’s games in Los Angeles wearing the Xolos jersey. There also seemed to be as many Mexican fans as Iranian fans during Team Melli’s two games at SoFi Stadium.
Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh described hearing a familiar chant while they were there for their second match, against Belgium. “Since we are there, we keep hearing ‘Iran, hermano, ya eres Mexicano,’” he said. Translated, the phrase means, “Brother, you’re already Mexican.”
Jahanbakhsh said the message stuck with him because it followed the team everywhere. “That shows enough, I think. Wherever we go, we hear this,” he said. “So that shows how much love they give us and that makes it a lot easier. And I think for everyone else, it feels kind of home when we are there in Tijuana. And them coming all the way here to support us, it means a lot to us.”.
Iran World Cup Team Melli Mexico fans Tijuana base camp Tucson Amir Ghalenoei SoFi Stadium Alireza Jahanbakhsh Club Tijuana
So Mexico helped them out and now they’re posting thanks. World Cup drama always turns into friendship stuff I guess.
Wait I thought Iran got knocked out because of the match they played, not other teams?? But also the moving from Tucson to Tijuana part is wild, like how last minute was that.
Mexico sweatband + Iran sweatband and fireworks is kinda cute. But didn’t the US restrictions stop them from going or something? Like I’m confused on what’s actually allowed vs not allowed. Still, fans chanting “Iran, hermano…” is pretty intense though.
This article is saying it was because Algeria and Austria tied 3-3, which is crazy, because I swear I saw somewhere it was Iran’s own loss that did it. Either way, the base camp move from Arizona to Tijuana sounds like a movie plot. Also why is Club Tijuana training them if they’re “just hosts”? Doesn’t matter I guess, just feels like the whole thing got blurred in a good way.