In the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alarming reports have emerged from Iran indicating that football players are being specifically targeted and killed amid ongoing protests against the government. The situation has raised significant international concern, prompting calls for FIFA to take urgent action to pressure the Iranian authorities and prevent further violence against athletes. The targeting of these footballers has drawn attention to the larger issues of human rights abuses in the country.

Among the most pressing cases are two players currently incarcerated in Iran, Amir Ghaderzadeh and Mohammed Hossein Hosseini. Ghaderzadeh, a 19-year-old striker, plays for the top club Sepahan Isfahan, while 26-year-old Hosseini, previously of Persepolis, was banned from football after participating in protests. Reports suggest that both players could potentially face the death penalty, highlighting the grave risks that athletes in Iran are taking in pursuit of social change and justice.

The football community is rallying around these individuals, signaling a broader movement that intertwines sports and activism in the face of oppressive regimes. As Iran prepares for international football competition, the outcry for FIFA to intervene grows louder, calling for the protection of athletes and of basic human rights amidst the ongoing struggles for liberty and democracy in the country.