The Iranian Canadian Congress is extremely disappointed with the decision announced earlier today by Soccer Canada to cancel the scheduled friendly match between Canadian and Iranian national soccer teams on June 5th, 2022. 

As we stated in our earlier statement, we strongly believe that conflating politics with sports by politicians and interest groups contradicts the values espoused by Canada including peaceful coexistence, democracy, and friendship.  

Thousands of Canadians and members of the Iranian Canadian community enthusiastically purchased their tickets in anticipation of this sold-out match. We believe that Soccer Canada owes an explanation to these fans about why this match was cancelled. We also condemn those who try to create an aggressive and divisive atmosphere in Iranian Canadian community, and encourage everyone to promote peace, friendship, and kindness since these are the core values of our community.   

The Iranian Canadian Congress invites everyone to embrace the upcoming World Cup as an opportunity to promote peaceful coexistence and friendship. Together with millions of Canadian and Iranian soccer fans, we will cheer for the success of the Canadian and Iranian national soccer teams in all cities across Canada.  

A friendly soccer match is scheduled between Canada and Iran at the BC Place Stadium (Vancouver) on June 5th ,2022 as part of the preparation games for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.  

Thousands of Canadians and members of the Iranian Canadian community have enthusiastically purchased their tickets in anticipation of this rare and historic match, already sold out. This speaks volume to the fact that vast majority of Canadian and Iranian people favor friendly relationships symbolically captured by these types of events. The word “friendly match” itself symbolizes our people's desire for peace and friendship abroad and at home. 

Friendly international sports competitions have always had the aim of bringing people together. This match symbolizes the wish of the Iranian and Canadian people to come together around the values of sportsmanship, friendship, peace, and solidarity. In this regard, the Iranian Canadian Congress appreciates and supports the decision and the efforts of the Canada Soccer organization in hosting this friendly match. As stated by Canada Soccer: "We believe in the power of sport and its ability to bring people from different backgrounds and political beliefs together for a common purpose.” 

Sports, arts, and cultural events are the channels of interaction and dialogue among civilizations. We strongly believe that conflating politics with sports by politicians and interest groups contradicts the ideals espoused by Canada, including peaceful coexistence, and promotion of democracy and friendship. While such attempts may produce superficial and short-term political gains, eventually the preservation of these intercultural events serves the purpose of conflict reduction, advancement of democracy, and mutual understanding. 

Iranian Canadian Congress welcomes the upcoming friendly match and invites the Iranian and Canadian national teams to observe one-minute silence to initiate the match in respect and memory of Iranian-Canadian victims of flight 752.