The Iran national football team is competing in the 2026 World Cup under the name 'Minab 168' and is wearing gold pins on their uniforms to honor the students who were killed in the February 2026 missile strike in Minab. This gesture symbolizes solidarity and remembrance of the victims. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, stated that Iran's resilience is built upon the memory of these departed souls. He also shared a video that conveys an emotional message, showing that Iran, despite its wounds, still stands tall, and its children are ready to compete on the world stage with unwavering resolve. In the backdrop of these competitions, Iranian supporters displayed the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, gathering in support of the national team and protesting against the Iranian government. In their opening match against the New Zealand national football team, Iran managed to draw 2-2. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also responded to the US Central Command's claim that the school targeted in the missile strikes was part of a missile launch facility, calling it a baseless fabrication.