Iran football fans display banner honouring children killed in US strike in Minab
Iranian supporters displayed a banner in the stands commemorating 168 children killed in a strike on a primary school in the southern city of Minab during Iran's World Cup match against New Zealand.
The banner referred to the killing of the children in a strike that Iranian authorities say took place at the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Reports have previously linked the number "168" to a campaign by Iran's national team to honour the victims.
The Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Fifa President Gianni Infantino visited Iran's dressing room after the match and praised the team's performance following the 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
According to the report, Infantino met with players after the game, as attention remained focused on both the team's on-field performance and the symbolic tributes to the Minab victims.
Teams are led onto the field by flag bearers before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Iran and New Zealand in Los Angeles, California, 15 June 2026 (Stu Forster/Getty Images via AFP)