Iran World Cup captain reveals Mexico cartel robbery story

Iran's World Cup captain, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, revealed on March 14, 2024, that Mexican cartels have a particular affinity for Iranians, a sentiment he heard from locals during his team's World Cup preparations in Qatar. Jahanbakhsh shared a personal account of his own encounter with an armed group in Mexico, which he described as a "very scary" experience. He stated that while traveling in a car, the vehicle was stopped by individuals carrying firearms. The situation was resolved when the group recognized him as an Iranian national, leading them to let him go. This incident occurred during the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Iran was part of Group B alongside England, the United States, and Wales. Jahanbakhsh, who plays for Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie, has been a prominent figure for the Iranian national team since his debut in 2013, earning over 70 caps.