Iran’s Parliament Speaker Lauds Team Melli Performance in Match with Belgium

Published: June 22, 2026 

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf hailed the national football team’s defensive resilience in the World Cup match against Belgium on Sunday, comparing it to the Iranian people’s steadfast defense of their homeland during the US-Israeli war of onslaught.

“This is how we protect our land,” Qalibaf wrote on‌ X on Sunday, sharing a photo from the match between Iran and Belgium which ended in a scoreless stalemate.The message, posted minutes after Iran held 10-man Belgium to a goalless draw in Los Angeles, drew a direct parallel between the team’s defensive performance on the pitch and the recent imposed war against Tehran.Iran’s goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand put on an incredible show with seven saves, while Thibaut Courtois held down his end with three saves of his own. He also had six saves in Iran’s opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand.Belgium’s momentum was completely halted in the second half when Nathan Ngoy was sent off with a red card, forcing the Red Devils to survive the rest of the match with only 10 players.Iran now sit on two points from two matches and will enter the final match day of Group G to face Egypt which has gained 4 points from its two matches.

The Iranian team has been competing under extraordinary circumstances.Due to US-imposed restrictions, the team has been forced to stay outside the US between matches, with many staff and officials banned from entering the country.

Fars News Agency