Israel Files Complaint with FIFA Over Iran National Team's Conduct at the World Cup

Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom has reported that Simon Davidson, Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset and Chairman of its Sports Subcommittee, has sent an official letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino protesting the conduct of members of Iran's national football team during the FIFA World Cup.

According to the report, the complaint was prompted by the fact that Iranian national team players wore gold-colored lapel pins featuring specific symbols upon their arrival in Mexico for the World Cup. The symbols were reportedly intended to commemorate the victims of an incident related to a missile attack on an elementary school in Minab on February 28, coinciding with the outbreak of hostilities.

The pins reportedly bear the number “168,” which, according to the report, refers to the number of victims of the incident.

In his letter to the FIFA president, Davidson emphasized that the FIFA World Cup should represent values such as respect, unity, and international solidarity and should not become a platform for political messaging. He warned that the use of symbols associated with political and military events could undermine the principle of neutrality in sport.

The letter further states that football possesses a unique capacity to bring nations together beyond political differences and that any attempt to use the tournament as a vehicle for political purposes should be prevented.

So far, FIFA has not issued an official response to the letter.

The report comes amid ongoing debate over the boundary between politics and sport, a topic that has long been one of the most controversial issues in international football competitions.

These images are from the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Mexico City Stadium.