'When the one who shows up in every war hosts the World Cup'

Iran's embassy in Indonesia shared an image on social media depicting the World Cup as a "War Cup." [Screen capture from Iran Embassy Indonesia's social media]
Iran's embassy in Indonesia shared an image on social media depicting the World Cup as a "War Cup." [Screen capture from Iran Embassy Indonesia's social media]

As the 2026 North America World Cup got underway, Iran's embassy in Indonesia posted content on social media targeting the United States by depicting the tournament as a "War Cup."

The embassy shared a Department of State post expressing excitement about the 2026 North America World Cup on its official X account on June 11, accompanying it with a critical image.

Along with the poster, the embassy wrote that "the 2026 World Cup is the biggest catastrophe in history."

The image showed a mountain of skulls and bones topped by a World Cup trophy in the shape of a bleeding skull. Across the top of the poster, the words "War Cup" appeared in large letters, a play on "World Cup."

The image also included an English-language caption reading: "When the one who shows up in every war gets to host the World Cup."

The phrasing appeared to target the United States, one of the co-hosts of the 2026 North America World Cup. The US and Iran are at war, with an end to the war expected soon. Iran is participating in the tournament as scheduled.

The Iranian embassy in Indonesia had also posted content targeting the US on June 9. "While millions are waiting for the World Cup, some forces are pushing the world to the brink of conflict," the embassy said.


yjc@heraldcorp.com