‘Situation back home affects the team, but we talk with our feet’

Iran kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Tuesday, arriving under a heavy cloud of geopolitical tension. Looming large over their preparation is the fractured diplomatic relationship between Iran and the tournament's co-hosts, the United States.

Amidst visa scrutiny, intense political friction, and a volatile climate back home, the squad faces a massive test of focus as they finally take to the pitch.

Despite the heavy off-field distractions, veteran winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh insists the squad remains united by a singular, powerful mission: to shut out the external noise and let their performance do the lecturing.

"Of course the situation back home affects the team in a way, but we talk with our feet and that’s what everyone is aware of," Jahanbakhsh said.

"We want to make sure to find a way to ease the difficult time that our people had over the last years and make sure to put some smiles on their faces."

At 32, the iconic forward is preparing for his fourth World Cup. Heading into what may be his international curtain call, Jahanbakhsh is banking on the deep, brotherly chemistry of a vastly experienced squad named by coach Amir Ghalenoei. With 70 to 80 per cent of the roster having played together for nearly a decade, that familiarity is seen as their greatest shield against the political storm surrounding them.

Iran have famously struggled to replicate its dominant continental form on the global stage, crashing out of the group stage in all six of their previous World Cup appearances. Yet, flanked by elite attacking talent like Mehdi Taremi, Mohammad Mohebi, and Saman Ghoddos, the veteran is quietly confident this group can finally make history for Iranian football.

Following their opening clash with New Zealand, Iran faces daunting group stage fixtures against Belgium and Egypt. But for Jahanbakhsh, the ultimate objective transcends tournament progression. For a boy from the north of Iran who went on to chase the bright lights of European football, wearing the Team Melli shirt remains a sacred duty to unify a hurting public.

"As individuals and as a team we would like to show that football unites the world and football unites people," Jahanbakhsh added.

"It doesn’t matter the nation, the colour of the skin or the background. We are all human. Humans don’t have to suffer and hopefully we can give that impression to the world with football, with our feet and to show some personality on such a big stage."