Iran left a handwritten note in their dressing room at Los Angeles Stadium after a goalless World Cup draw with Belgium, pleading: "May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations."
The message, released by the Football Federation of Iran, came as their country and the United States – co-hosts of the tournament – remain in negotiations to end their war. It also referenced an attack on a girls' school in Minab where at least 168 people were killed on the first day of the conflict.
“Iran left a peace note after World Cup draw as Jeremy Doku flew to London for his child's birth.”
"From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast," the note read. "We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity."
Iran's World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by the war. Several "integral" members of their backroom staff were denied entry visas, their ticket allocation was revoked on the eve of the tournament, and the team was forced to switch its base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico. Under strict visa conditions, they are allowed to fly into the US only a day before a match and must leave the same day. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei called his team the "most oppressed" at the tournament after their opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the same goalless draw, Belgium's Jeremy Doku was flying home to London for the birth of his first child. The Manchester City winger missed the match because of a respiratory illness but was cleared to travel. Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said: "As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk in order to be with his family during this very special moment."
Doku's wife Shireen gave birth to a baby boy named Praise. The Belgium FA confirmed the player would rejoin the squad on Tuesday evening in Seattle, where his team face New Zealand on Friday needing a win after two draws to avoid elimination.
The winger had been criticised by French commentator France Pierron on L'Equipe de Choc, who said: "You can't miss a World Cup. And now, you're not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord?" L'Equipe later disavowed the comments and apologised to Doku.
Iran will play their final group game against Egypt in Seattle on 27 June, with the White House's World Cup taskforce executive director Andrew Giuliani saying there are "discussions going on" about travel timings for the match.