Iran 168 meaning, explained: What to know about Minab school bombing at center of World Cup protest

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Iran 168 meaning, explained: What to know about Minab school bombing at center of World Cup protest originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While training in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Iranian National Team was seen wearing "#168" pins in remembrance of the reported 168 deaths in the Minab school bombing in late February.

FIFA does have rules in place about political statements or images, but the team did so outside of the pitch. There are no rules in place about wearing or making statements outside of the game setting, so Iran did not break any FIFA rules in wearing these pins.

Despite being ranked No. 20 in the world, Iran's team will be one of the most watched in the tournament in light of recent world events, along with the team having all three of its group-stage games in the U.S.

Here is what the number 168 means and how it may be seen around the World Cup scenes.

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Iran 168 meaning​

The number 168 that has appeared on the Iranian national team's pins signifies the 168 people who were killed at the girls' elementary school in South Iran on February 28.

An airstrike was directed at Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School, according to the Associated Press, and the vast majority of fatalities from the strike were children. The February strike reportedly had the highest reported civilian death toll since the war began, and has since been criticized by the United Nations and human rights organizations.

Here is a news segment outlining the significance of Iran's #168 pins:


MORE: Who is on the Iranian 2026 World Cup team?

Iran Minab bombing details​

On February 28, more than 165 people were killed, the majority of them being children, in an airstrike during school hours at Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School, according to the Associated Press.

The bombing happened at around 10:45 local time, per the BBC, and likely involved a US-manufactured Tomahawk missile, according to the Associated Press.

How many kids were killed in Minab bombing?​

Reports vary in how many children were killed in the bombing, but most reports say that the majority of the 168 people killed were children.

Other reports, such as Amnesty.org, share that 156 people were killed. A fact that stands constant is that the majority of that number includes children.

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Are Iran 168 pins allowed at World Cup?​

Last week, Iran wore #168 pins on their jackets when they landed in Tijuana, Mexico, according to The Athletic. Due to the fact that Iran wore the pins outside of a match setting, FIFA does not have regulations on whether or not this is allowed.

However, the organization's regulations state, "equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images," so if Iran were to wear these #168 pins during their matches, the team would be subject to penalties.

Political items are a bit murky to define, but the organization upholds the meaning that “slogans, statements or images” related to “any person(s), living or dead” and “any specific political act/event” are not allowed on the pitch.

What USA, Israel have said about Minab bombing​

According to President Trump, "Iran or someone else" is the country to blame for the Minab school attack. The president shared his thoughts on the strike at a White House briefing.

“No, in my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran," said Trump.

The president brought up how the Tomahawk missiles used in the strike were available to countries other than the U.S., so it could have been anyone who had their hands on these weapons.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to Politico, said the government is still “investigating” the attack, but that “The only side that targets civilians is Iran.”

Israel has also denied any involvement in conducting the strike, per the Associated Press.

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