Iran’s participation in the men’s 2026 World Cup has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February.
On Thursday of this week, US president Donald Trump said Iran are “welcome” at the World Cup but that it is not “appropriate” for them to be there “for their own life and safety”.
Trump’s comments came after Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donyamali said his country was not in a position to participate at the tournament, which is being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June.
“I would be devastated to see Iran [not compete] after having worked so hard to qualify for the fourth time in a row,” said Ghotbi, who was born in Iran but moved to the United States with his father when he was 13 years old.
“All the players say that is their dream to be there, to play in the World Cup.
“The fans, if they’re denied the opportunity to play in Los Angeles in front of so many Iranians that live there, and being one of those Iranians that lived there for many years… it’s a dream to see your national team of place of birth, play in front of you, in the country that you’re a citizen of or a resident of.”
Ghotbi has fond memories of a friendly between Iran and the United States – a match designed to bring the two estranged countries together – which was played in front of 50,181 fans at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in 2000.
“I was in the stadium, and the Rose Bowl was packed, and I would say 85% of the fans were Iranians, and they had flags of USA and Iran in their faces,” Ghotbi said.
“They brought roses for symbol of peace to the stadium, and it was amazing, it was absolutely amazing.
“I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes of just being proud of the fact that the game has this power.”
