Iran’s World Cup squad wears “#168” pins honoring schoolgirls killed in strike as they arrive in Mexico

Iran’s national football team has sparked global attention after arriving at their World Cup training base in Mexico wearing gold lapel pins marked “#168,” a tribute to schoolchildren killed in a recent missile strike in southern Iran.

According to reports from the Associated Press and other international media, the players were seen stepping off their flight in Tijuana wearing the pins on their jackets as they prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The number “168” refers to victims; mostly schoolgirls who were killed in a February 28 strike on a girls’ primary school in Minab, Iran. The incident has been widely described in international reporting as one of the deadliest attacks on civilians during the ongoing Iran conflict, with investigations still continuing and conflicting claims over responsibility.

Media reports say the gesture was a silent tribute by the players to express solidarity with the victims’ families. The pins have also been interpreted as a political statement, drawing renewed attention to civilian casualties and the broader tensions surrounding the conflict.

The move may place the Iranian squad in a sensitive position, as FIFA regulations generally discourage political messaging on team apparel during official tournaments. Analysts say the governing body could face pressure to respond depending on how strictly the rules are enforced during the competition.

Iran is expected to play its group-stage matches in the United States, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle, amid heightened security and diplomatic sensitivities.