Iranian team wears #168 pins for airstrike victims ahead of World Cup

Key Points:

• The Iran World Cup team arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, wearing gold lapel pins marked “#168” to honor victims of a missile strike on an elementary school in southern Iran that killed 168 people, mostly young girls.
• The team shifted its training base to Mexico from Tucson, USA, due to delays in U.S. visa processing for some players and delegation members allegedly linked to the Revolutionary Guard, though FIFA has not officially explained the change.
• Iran is set to play its group-stage matches in the U.S., with games scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, but it remains uncertain if FIFA will permit the team to wear the commemorative pins during matches, given regulations against political or personal statements on equipment.
• Iran team captain Ehsan Hajsafi expressed frustration with FIFA over the visa delays but confirmed the team’s good condition upon arrival, while previously voicing support for victims of domestic unrest and condemning government actions in Iran.
• Investigations suggest a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck the school, but the U.S. military has not confirmed responsibility and is reportedly investigating the incident.