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    <title>Aaj TV English News - Sports</title>
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    <copyright>Copyright 2026</copyright>
    <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 03:38:44 +0500</pubDate>
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      <title>Iran leave note of thanks in LA locker room after draw with Belgium</title>
      <link>https://english.aaj.tv/news/330460655/iran-leave-note-of-thanks-in-la-locker-room-after-draw-with-belgium</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Iran left a message in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality ​during the World Cup and saying they are leaving ‌with dignity after a 0-0 draw with Belgium kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Los Angeles hosted both of Iran’s Group G ​matches so far, with the team returning to their ​base in Tijuana, Mexico, between games.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Iran have spent the tournament ⁠based in Tijuana commuting to the US for their matches ​because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, while a ​number of Iran’s team staff and officials have been banned.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“From the ancient Persia of thousands ​of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran ‌remains ⁠alive and steadfast,” read the handwritten note, which was released by Iran’s football federation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with ​dignity.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The note also ​thanked Iranian ⁠supporters who gave their “heart, voice and soul” for the team during the two matches and ended ​with a call for peace, respect and friendship among ​all ⁠nations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticised the travel restrictions imposed on the side, saying the team has faced challenges no other ⁠side have ​had to endure.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Iran, who drew 2-2 ​with New Zealand in their opener at SoFi Stadium, play their final group match ​against Egypt in Seattle.&lt;/p&gt;
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      <content:encoded xmlns="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Iran left a message in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality ​during the World Cup and saying they are leaving ‌with dignity after a 0-0 draw with Belgium kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.</strong></p>
<p>Los Angeles hosted both of Iran’s Group G ​matches so far, with the team returning to their ​base in Tijuana, Mexico, between games.</p>
<p>Iran have spent the tournament ⁠based in Tijuana commuting to the US for their matches ​because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, while a ​number of Iran’s team staff and officials have been banned.</p>
<p>“From the ancient Persia of thousands ​of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran ‌remains ⁠alive and steadfast,” read the handwritten note, which was released by Iran’s football federation.</p>
<p>“Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality.</p>
<p>“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with ​dignity.”</p>
<p>The note also ​thanked Iranian ⁠supporters who gave their “heart, voice and soul” for the team during the two matches and ended ​with a call for peace, respect and friendship among ​all ⁠nations.</p>
<p>Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticised the travel restrictions imposed on the side, saying the team has faced challenges no other ⁠side have ​had to endure.</p>
<p>Iran, who drew 2-2 ​with New Zealand in their opener at SoFi Stadium, play their final group match ​against Egypt in Seattle.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <category>Sports</category>
      <guid>https://english.aaj.tv/news/330460655</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:15:25 +0500</pubDate>
      <author>none@none.com (Reuters)</author>
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        <media:title>Reuters</media:title>
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        <media:title>A handwritten message left by the Iranian soccer team thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. -- Reuters</media:title>
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