World Cup 2026: FIFA President Gianni Infantino visits Iran dressing room, praises team after New Zealand draw

FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s dressing room after their 2-2 draw against New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering words of encouragement to the players and coaching staff following a hard-fought contest.

Addressing the squad inside the dressing room, Infantino praised the team’s resilience and commitment, acknowledging the challenges they had faced during the tournament.

Translated excerpts of his remarks included phrases such as “It’s a tough game tonight,” “This was an injustice to this team,” and “You’re writing history,” as he commended the players for their determination under difficult circumstances.

The FIFA chief also highlighted the respect the Iranian players had earned through their performances, praising their character and fighting spirit throughout the match.

Iran secured a valuable point after a competitive 2-2 draw against New Zealand, keeping their hopes alive in the tournament.

The result was celebrated by players and staff, who received additional recognition from the world football governing body’s president in the aftermath of the game.

The post-match scene also featured comments from Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who criticised what he described as unfair treatment of his team by the United States, one of the host nations of the World Cup.

Despite the controversy, Infantino’s presence in the dressing room served as a significant show of support for the Iranian squad.

His message focused on the players’ efforts on the field, their resilience in adversity, and the importance of continuing to fight for success in the competition.

Iran will now turn its attention to its remaining group-stage fixtures as it seeks to build on the positive result against New Zealand and strengthen its chances of progressing to the knockout stage.