Reza Mansoor and Mostafa Pourmand, two Iranian football super fans, have attended 11 World Cups together to support their national team. Despite ongoing political tensions between Iran and the United States, they plan to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Mansoor and Pourmand, who have been following Iran's national team for decades, stated that their love for football transcends political conflicts. 'We are not going to let politics stop us from supporting our team,' Mansoor said in an interview. The duo has become known among Iranian fans for their unwavering dedication, often traveling long distances and spending significant personal funds to attend matches.
The 2026 World Cup will feature Iran in Group B, alongside England, the United States, and a yet-to-be-determined playoff winner. The match between Iran and the US on June 21, 2026, is expected to draw significant attention due to the political context. However, Mansoor and Pourmand emphasized that their focus remains on the sport, not the political rivalry.
This will be the first World Cup held in the United States since 1994, and the first to feature 48 teams. Iranian fans, including Mansoor and Pourmand, are expected to travel in large numbers, though exact figures are not yet available. The Iranian Football Federation has confirmed that the team will participate in the tournament.
