American and Iranian soccer fans pack Doha’s stadium ahead of crucial World Cup clash
RedDoha’s Al Thumama Stadium was flooded with American soccer fans, as well as their Iranian counterparts, ahead of the Group A finale. Both teams are trying to reach the final. World Cup knockout stage in Qatar
Both teams had supporters who dressed in flags of their respective countries and painted their faces to represent their support. This match has significant implications for both sides.
Tuesday’s game is the second. World Cup clash between the two teams, following Iran’s 1998 upset of Team USA in Lyon, France – a loss that eliminated the Americans from advancing to the tournament.
The Iran (1-1-0), can defeat the US (0-02-2) on Tuesday in Doha by drawing or tying, while the Americans are limited to advancing with a win.
Aside from soccer, there’s the unavoidable friction between Iran and the US — two countries that have been without formal diplomatic relations since 1980. The US has been vocal in its support of feminist protestors who are facing the wrath of Tehran and pulled out from the nuclear agreement it had with Iran.
US Soccer tweeted that the Iranian flag was being displayed without the Islamic Republic’s emblem, adding to the tension. According to the US Soccer Federation the omission was meant to support protesters in Iran. The US Soccer Federation has since restored the crest to Iran’s flag on Team USA’s site.
FIFA was asked by Iran to expel the US from the World Cup. World Cup for allegedly taking the name of God off their national flag. Meanwhile, #ExpellUSA started trending on Twitter. As if this wasn’t enough, the match is being held in Qatar, an ally of Iran and also home to a US military base.
However, these issues were secondary to Tuesday’s match. Fans remained calm as they made their way into the stadium.
RedDoha’s Al Thumama Stadium has seen a flood of American soccer fans dressed in white and blue, along with their Iranian counterparts, to prepare for the Group B final. The two teams hope to advance to the semifinals. World Cup knockout stage at Qatar
Before Tuesday’s match between Iran and America in Doha (Qatar), a fan is seen wearing Captain America masks.
Before the FIFA, fans pose with flags from Iran and USA. World Cup 2022, group B soccer match
Pictured is an Iran fan ahead of Tuesday’s Group B final between Iran and America in Doha. Qatar
Before the event, Iranian and US supporters pose together for a picture World Cup group B soccer match between Iran & the United States at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
Fans pose in front of the World Cup group B match between Iran & the United States at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
The atmosphere before the FIFA match is enjoyed by the USA fans World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match
The US-Irani relations have been strained since 1979’s Iranian Revolution, when the American-backed Shah was overthrown from power and eventually replaced by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In a long standoff, American diplomats were held hostage at US Embassy. The eight-year-old war between Iran and neighbor Iraq only added to tensions. For a short time, the US provided financial support.
They clashed over the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and economic sanctions imposed upon Iran. In 1988, the US bombed an Iranian ship and then later shot down a passenger plane from Iran, killing 290 civilians.
Bill Clinton, President of the United States, imposed a total embargo against Iranian goods in 1995. This was due to allegations of Iranian state-sponsored terrorist acts and Tehran’s attempts at building weapons of mass destruction.
When the two teams were placed in the same category at the 1998 Olympic Games, it was a sign that they had found common ground. World Cup in France, local authorities took notice. Although the police were called in to guard Lyon’s stadium, they were quickly overwhelmed by the brewing euphoria.
While the match itself was not timid, it was not a hard-fought one. Halfback Claudio Reyna — father of current US midfielder Gio — happily helped Iranian forward Ali Daei up off the pitch after a collision.
One team had to lose and that was US.
The atmosphere before the FIFA match is enjoyed by the USA fans World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between IR Iran & USA at Al Thumama Stadium Tuesday, February 22nd
American and Iranian supporters cheer on before the World Cup Group B soccer match between Iran, USA
IR Iran fan enjoys the pre match atmosphere before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between IR Iran & USA at Al Thumama Stadium, November 29, 2022 in Doha
Before Tuesday’s match between Team USA/Iran, a United States fan was seen in Souq Wif
Outside the stadium, a fan of IR Iran displays their support for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between IR Iran & USA at Al Thumama Stadium
A remarkable performance at the 1994 World Cup, which featured an upset of tournament favourites Colombia, the Americans started 1998 by beating Brazil to become the CONCACAF Gold Cup in February. With several holdovers from four years earlier, and a pair of Premier League keepers — Liverpool’s Brad Friedel and Leicester City’s Kasey Keller — the US appeared ready to turn the corner as a soccer power.
The team was also encouraged by the addition of Predrag Radosavljević, the Yugoslavian-born attacking midfielder known as Preki, who had become one of the MLS’s top scorers.
Despite it all, the Americans fell flat on their face in the group opener against aging Germany, losing 2-0, while giving up a goal to future Team USA coach, Jürgen Klinsmann.
Officially, the 1998 Olympics were ruined by Iran’s second match. World Cup for the US. The US didn’t have any offensive opportunities despite having the ball for the majority of the match. Iran took advantage of the few chances it had and won with a Hamid Estili header in the 40th.
In 1998, they played in group play. World Cup in France (pictured), Team Iran and Team USA both silenced any agitators by taking a group photo before the game. The Iranians gave white roses and a calm tone to their rivals before handing the Americans a 2-1 loss in what is still America Soccer’s most prestigious match. World Cup disappointment
After the 1998 World Cup, Ali Reza Mansourian (R), an Iranian midfielder, comforts Joe-Max Moore, a forward in the United States. World Cup in Lyon (France)
FIFA fans during the FIFA World Cup 1998 match between Iran, United States at Stade de Gerland in Lyon on June 21, 1998
Back in Terhan, thousands of people poured onto the streets, some even without their headscarves.
According to The New York Times, forward Khodadad Azizi said that it was the best game they had ever played. “The entire nation was waiting for this match and expected us to win.”
Although the feeling was not as intense among American players, they did not ruin it with their poor sportsmanship. They smiled, shaken hands with Iranian players and exchanged jerseys for an appropriate end to an historic day.
‘After All the scenarios, 20 years later [between Iran and the United States]It was crucial to show that the Iranian propaganda about Iran was false,’ Iran goalkeeper Ahmad Abedzadeh said to reporters. ‘We were courageous. We were fair. It was crucial.
The US defense attorney Jeff Agoos stated it better: “We did more in 90 minutes that the politicians did over 20 years.”
IRANIAN FANS, PLAYERS RISK TEHRAN’S WRATH
The 1998 tournament was attended by many Iranian fans, including many who were there this year. World Cup set out to raise awareness of human rights issues in the home country, but was met with resistance.
France: Iranian dissident Mujahadeen Khalq’s supporters accused the local government in France of allowing secret agents from Tehran into the crowd to search for political enemies.
Qatar was also accused of suppressing dissident voices against Iran’s ally during the Iranian Revolution. World Cup. Cup.
Ayeh Shams, one among approximately 400,000 Iranians in America, stated that they are first-generation Americans. ‘Our parents were born and raised in Iran. We are just here to have fun and provide a platform for those Iranians who are fighting against the Islamic government.
Fans are not the only ones who have clashed to Iran’s government. Sardar Azmoun, star player, supports the antigovernment protests following Mahsa Amini’s death, a Kurdish Iranian woman aged 22 who was taken into custody and later shot by the morality officers for wearing her hijab in an inappropriate manner.
Team Iran’s roster is also prohibited from protesting at the World Cup according to Carlos Queiroz.
Fans display a shirt featuring the name MahsaAmini and a flag supporting women’s rights in the years before the FIFA. World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between IR Iran & Wales at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar on November 25, 2022. Iran continues to protest the September death of Mahsa Alimini. Mahsa was taken into a coma by Tehran’s morality police after he was arrested for allegedly violating country’s hijab regulations.
