Iran’s Soccer Team Honors Victims of Deadly School Strike
Antalya, Turkey. Players held small backpacks as Iran’s national football team used a match against Nigeria on Friday to honor victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school.
More than 165 people were killed — most of them children — when a Feb. 28 strike, believed to have been launched by the United States, hit the school in southern Iran. Neither the United States nor Israel has claimed responsibility for the attack, which has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups. The US military has said it is investigating and would never intentionally target civilians.
During the national anthem, Iranian players placed small pink and purple school backpacks in front of them in tribute to the victims. Video of the ceremony also showed players wearing black armbands in remembrance of those killed since the war began.
The match was played in Antalya, southern Turkey. Nigeria won 2-1 in what served as a World Cup tuneup for Iran, ahead of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Iran is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in June in the United States. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City said the country has asked FIFA to move those games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending, citing safety concerns.
Iranian officials have said they do not intend to boycott the World Cup, but argued it would be difficult for the team to travel to the United States amid ongoing military tensions involving Israel and the US.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has downplayed the request, saying the governing body expects the tournament to proceed as scheduled.
Separately, Iran’s judiciary threatened to seize the property of soccer player Sardar Azmoun, according to two semiofficial news agencies. The move follows earlier warnings from the country’s hard-line judicial chief that authorities could target assets of celebrities critical of the government.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
US, Iran Reach Interim Deal Aimed at Ending War
The US and Iran reach an interim deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Drone Strike Sparks a Fire Near UAE's Nuclear Power Plant
Iran has been increasingly threatening the UAE over recent days as the country hosted Israeli Iron Dome missile defenses and troops.Wars Cost Trillions of Dollars, Indonesia Tells BRICS
In a meeting joined by UAE and Iranian officials, Indonesia reminds BRICS that "the cost of war is ultimately the cost of lost opportunity."Trump-Xi Meeting Opens in Beijing With Low Expectations on Trade, Security
Trump met Xi in Beijing as both sides opened talks, with little expectation of breakthroughs on Iran, Taiwan and trade.ASEAN Wants to Share Fuel ASAP, but So Much Work to Be Done
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says that ASEAN still needs to work on the operational details of the fuel-sharing mechanism.Prabowo Says Private Sector Shouldn’t Handle Agriculture Alone
Prabowo tells his ASEAN counterparts that agriculture is the "primary responsibility of the government".ASEAN Calls For Hormuz Passage, Warns Rising Food Bill
ASEAN is worried that the prolonged closure of the Hormuz strait can make food more expensive.ASEAN Kicks Off Cebu Talks as Bloc Mulls Sharing Fuel
ASEAN is eyeing to have an emergency fuel-sharing mechanism as the energy crunch from the Iran war persists.Indonesia’s Palm Oil Exports Tumble 35.08%
Indonesia's palm oil exports only totaled $1.42 billion in March 2026, BPS says.Trump Unveils ‘Project Freedom’ to Escort Ships from Strait of Hormuz
The US will launch Project Freedom to guide ships from the Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise and fresh attacks hit vessels.The Latest
Dear Mr. President, Don’t Skip ASEAN Summits
Despite calls for Prabowo to stay home, the Indonesian leader still needs to attend ASEAN summits.PLN Rushes Coal Supplies After Power Outages Hit Java
PLN is rushing to secure coal supplies after shortages triggered rolling blackouts across Java, disrupting businesses and daily life.Japan-Backed ADB Invests in Indonesia’s Human Capital
As many as 399 Indonesian awardees have joined the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program from 1988 to 2024.Indonesian Stocks Rise Despite Foreign Outflows as MSCI Review Looms
Indonesia's JCI rose 2.8% as easing geopolitical tensions offset foreign outflows, MSCI concerns and rupiah pressures.World Cup 2026: Paraguay Holds Off Turkey With 10 Men to Keep Knockout Hopes Alive
Matias Galarza scored after 65 seconds as 10-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0, eliminating the Turks and securing first place for the US.Most Popular
