Iranian national football team honors victims of Minab school strike

Prior to a friendly match against Nigeria in Antalya, Turkey, the Iranian national football team held a memorial for the victims of a missile strike. On February 28, 2026, a missile attack targeted an elementary school for girls in Minab, resulting in dozens of deaths, primarily among children. Iranian players entered the field carrying school bags as a symbolic gesture to honor the deceased. During the national anthems, the team maintained a moment of silence. The match, part of an international tournament, concluded with a 2-1 victory for Nigeria. Mehdi Taremi scored for Iran in the 67th minute, while Bruno Onyemaechi represented the Nigerian side. The event served as a public expression of grief over the tragedy.