WANA (Jun 14) – Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, used a press conference on the sidelines of the national team’s training camp in Mexico to explain the meaning behind the “Minab 168” emblem displayed on his clothing, telling reporters it commemorates the 168 schoolchildren killed in the attack on Minab’s Shajareh Tayyebeh School.

 

Speaking to international media, Taj began by thanking Mexican authorities and citizens for hosting the Iranian team and facilitating its preparations ahead of the World Cup.

 

Responding to a question about Iran’s decision to prepare in Mexico rather than the United States, he expressed appreciation for the support provided by Mexican officials while criticizing what he described as shortcomings by another World Cup host nation in implementing international protocols and tournament regulations for the Iranian delegation.

 

The discussion then turned to the “Minab 168” symbol after a question from a New York Times reporter. Taj said the emblem was intended to honor the memory of 168 students who were killed when their school was struck during an attack.

 

“All of these children were under nine or ten years old,” he said. “Without any prior warning, while our country was engaged in negotiations, they were targeted while sitting in their classrooms.”

 

Taj also referred to Makan Nasiri, a young student who became one of the most widely recognized symbols of the tragedy. According to Taj, only a single shoe belonging to the boy was ever recovered, while no other trace of him was found.

 

He said Iran’s football authorities wanted the national team to carry the name “Minab 168” at the World Cup as a way of preserving the memory of the victims and bringing international attention to the incident.

Iran’s National Team Sparks Global Conversation at World Cup with ‘#168’/FIFA

In response to a separate question from Belgian television regarding reports that some spectators may attend matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles carrying flags associated with Iran’s former monarchy, Taj said FIFA bears responsibility for enforcing tournament regulations.

 

“FIFA has a responsibility to implement the relevant protocols,” he said. “One of those requirements is that the official flag of each participating country be displayed in the stadium. We have already informed FIFA of Iran’s official flag, and the organization has been making significant efforts to address the existing issues.”

 

Asked about remarks by the U.S. president suggesting that a possible agreement between Tehran and Washington could be announced soon, Taj stressed that the Iranian national team remains focused exclusively on football.

 

“Our team is here to compete in football,” he said. “The best possible preparations have been made, and the team is in good condition. We welcome any agreement that serves our national interests and contributes to peace, but the national team’s focus is entirely on the matches ahead.”