The ball is also played outside the field
The Iranian national team has just taken a direct shot at former President Donald Trump’s statements. In a post on Instagram this Thursday, the team made it clear that “no one can exclude her” from playing the World Cup in the United States.
And they didn’t stop there. In an unexpected twist, they suggested that perhaps it should be the American team that was excluded from the tournament. This after Trump indicated that the host country could not guarantee the safety of the Iranian players.
When sport collides with politics
As a former athlete who experienced how an injury can change everything, I understand that iron determination. The Iranians are showing the same mentality that is needed to overcome a difficult game: they do not give up in the face of external obstacles.
“No one can exclude her”
That phrase sums up an entire position. It’s not just about football; It is about respect, dignity and the right to compete on equal terms. In sports, as in life, sometimes the greatest victories come from standing firm when everything seems against you.
The team’s official post raises important questions about the actual safety of the players. And here’s the key: all athletes deserve a safe environment to do their best, without political distractions.
What began as comments about sports logistics has become a debate about inclusion and international relations. Football should unite, not divide. It should be that space where only what happens inside the white lines matters.
We will see how this situation evolves, but one thing is clear: the Iranians came to play, and they do not plan to withdraw without a fight. In sport and outside of it, that attitude always deserves respect.
