‘With you every step of the way’: IRGC commander’s pep talk to football team ahead of World Cup

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) aerospace force on Wednesday issued a message of support for the national football team.

In his motivational message posted on social media, Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Moosavi addressed the players of Team Melli directly.

“To the proud players of Iran’s national football team: your real support comes from the heartfelt prayers of the Iranian people, who stand with you every step of the way,” the commander stated in the message.

He anchored his pep talk in the legacy of General Hossein Salami, the martyred top commander of the IRGC, who was known for being a staunch football fan.

Moosavi quoted the commander who was martyred during the 12-day war in June last year as saying that “If you want to lift the trophy, play as a team.”

On Wednesday evening, a ceremony was held at central Tehran’s Enghelab Square, attended by players and senior officials of the Iranian Football Federation as well as thousands of people, where the new kit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was unveiled.

A Press TV reporter described a carnival-like atmosphere as thousands of supporters gave the players a warm send-off, chanting and waving flags in a public display of national pride.

At this ceremony, Ehsan Hajsafi, on behalf of the players, read the team's covenant.

“The 2026 World Cup is being held while our dear country, Iran, is at war with warmongering countries. But Iranians, as their history has proven, do not tire of struggle and will not cease their efforts for freedom and independence, even as they mourn their loved ones,” it read.

“We, the footballers of Iran, have mourned our loved ones like all the people throughout this past year, but we have not stopped striving. Under bombs and shelling, we have worked to elevate the flag of our dear Iran on the international stage. We are proud to bear the emblem of the children of Minab on our chests, and to have our caravan's name adorned with the names of these oppressed martyrs.”

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei and his staff have scheduled three intra-squad friendly matches for the domestic training camp to get the players into match shape before the World Cup, before they head to Turkey for a pre-tournament camp.

The technical staff's plan has been designed accordingly, but one of their concerns is the issuance of visas by the United States, which could hinder the team's preparations.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in tournament history, featuring 48 teams for the first time and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The tournament kicks off on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Earlier, following the unprovoked US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, Team Melli’s participation in the marquee tournament was clouded by uncertainty.

However, the decision was later taken to go ahead with the schedule if the US government issues visas to all the players and the support staff.

Iran has named the caravan heading to the World Cup after the martyrs of Minab, where more than 150 students were martyred in the US-Israeli act of aggression on February 28.

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