[59068] IRGC involvement in the Iranian national team: Air Force commander sends messages to players

Increased involvement of the Revolutionary Guard in the Iranian national team ahead of the World Cup

Numerous reports in Iranian media on May 13, 2026, reveal that the high command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is attempting to directly influence the national football team's preparations for the World Cup. According to Iran International, a media outlet associated with the Iranian opposition, the Tasnim News Agency – which is close to the regime – revealed that the commander of the IRGC Air Force, Majid Mousavi, sent a special message to the players.

In a message that was ideological in nature, Mousavi quoted former IRGC commander Hossein Salami, who advised the players: "If you want to win the cup, play as a team". This message was widely distributed on official regime Telegram channels, such as the Revolutionary Guard's news channel, which emphasize the direct connection between the security echelon and national sports.

Concurrent with these reports, the Khabar-e Fouri channel reported on a propaganda-style event where coach Amir Ghalenoei and the national team players were seen at "Revolution Square" in Tehran. These events reflect an ongoing effort by the authorities in Iran to harness the football team for purposes of national and ideological glorification.

Reports in sources associated with the regime, such as Khabar-e Fouri and the Revolutionary Guard's news channel, present the military command's intervention as an inspiring act, while opposition entities like Iran International use these reports to point to the lack of independence of the country's athletes under the political pressure of the Revolutionary Guard.