On the field for the third and final day of group B of the World Cup in Qatar.
Up for grabs access to the round of 16.
Wales-England LIVE
Iran-Usa LIVE
Politics, tensions and football: between Iran and the USA it is a global challenge
"Let us concentrate on football" asked the US coach on the eve of the decisive match against Iran, in an appeal as heartfelt as it is in vain.
Few sporting events have recently been loaded with so many non-sporting meanings as the match at the World Cup in Qatar which is worth a place in the round of 16, well beyond the now ten-year rivalry between the two countries.
The great protests for women's rights after the death of the young Mahsa Amini have led Tehran to react harshly even to football 'provocations' and in Qatar 'Team Melli' has been an instrument and symbol of the various souls of the country: from the protest , with the hymn not sung in the debut match, to the one that takes the
national pride awakened by the victory over Wales and by some more or less improvident utterances by rivals or commentators.
The controversy was in particular rekindled by the decision of the US Football Federation to change the flag of Iran - removing the symbol of Allah - on its social media "as a sign of solidarity with the protests in the country and in favor of women's rights ".
A barrage of accusations and protests erupted from Tehran, with a request to Fifa to sanction the US but the initiative also created some diplomatic embarrassment, so much so that the US State Department underlined how this act was not "coordinated" and expressed the wish "to attend a peaceful and competitive game".
If the request to expel the US national team from the World Cup has also been aired from Tehran, complicated days are going on in the Iranian one, because every act, word or silence is weighed and judged at home, both by the regime and by the activists.
Coach Carlos Queiroz does everything he can to protect the players but it's far from easy.
Today Tehran announced that after the victory over Wales more than 700 prisoners were freed but at the same time a symbol of Iranian football like Ali Daei claimed to have suffered threats after having supported the protests.
Daei did not go to Qatar, despite the organizers' invitation, explaining that he wanted to be "with my compatriots and express solidarity with those who have lost their loved ones" to the repression.
The technical commissioner of the United States, Gregg Berhalter, in the press conference was solicited more on the 'flag case' than on the challenge that is worth the pass for the round of 16 of the tournament.
"We think about football not external events and all we can do is apologize on behalf of the players and staff, but it's not something that depended on us," he said,
almost apologetic -.
I don't want to sound detached and it's obvious that our thoughts are with the Iranian people, and the whole country, but we are only focused on the match."
"I am well aware that it means many things but for us - he continued - it is above all the match with a good team and it is as if it were a direct elimination because only one will be able to pass. Then the memory of that Iran-USA 2 still burns me -1 from the '98 World Cup because there was only one team on the pitch, and it wasn't ours".
In that formation, however, one of the protagonists was Daei himself, who in another situation would have more than willingly watched the new challenge live Next to the coach was the captain, Tyler Adams.
"We support the people of Iran and their team - he began - but now we are focused on the match, as I believe they are. It will be very important for both of us to continue this adventure".
If Iran can settle for even a draw after defeating the Welsh,
England-Wales, it's William's derby
Derby air between England and Wales, who challenge each other today in the second match of group B: Kane and his companions are looking for a pass to the round of 16, Bale and his associates points to put in the standings.
It will also be the derby of the crown prince William, who has been the head of the Football Association of England for years and has been the prince of Wales since last September.
"I will cheer for both of them," the prince underlined in recent days after his visit to the headquarters of the Three Lions national team caused disappointment among the Welsh.
"I support both sides. I always supported England as a child, in football. In rugby, however, I have always supported Wales and not the England national team. However, this year at the World Cup in Qatar I support both, so I can't be wrong William had recently said,
that in Qatar there won't be.
Instead, there will be the British Undersecretary for Sport, Stuart Andrew, who announced that he will wear the rainbow band at the stadium, in support of the cause for equal rights for homosexuals and the Lgbtq + community.
The conservative exponent, who is gay, described Fifa's conduct as "really unfair".
And the head of the World Cup organizing committee, Qatar Hassan Al-Thawadi, intervened on the rainbow band, accusing the teams that wanted to wear the rainbow band of sending a "very divisive message" to the Islamic and Arab world.
Today will be a challenge within the challenge between two neighboring nations.
in support of the cause for equal rights for homosexuals and the Lgbtq+ community.
The conservative exponent, who is gay, described Fifa's conduct as "really unfair".
And the head of the World Cup organizing committee, Qatar Hassan Al-Thawadi, intervened on the rainbow band, accusing the teams that wanted to wear the rainbow band of sending a "very divisive message" to the Islamic and Arab world.
Today will be a challenge within the challenge between two neighboring nations.
in support of the cause for equal rights for homosexuals and the Lgbtq+ community.
The conservative exponent, who is gay, described Fifa's conduct as "really unfair".
And the head of the World Cup organizing committee, Qatar Hassan Al-Thawadi, intervened on the rainbow band, accusing the teams that wanted to wear the rainbow band of sending a "very divisive message" to the Islamic and Arab world.
Today will be a challenge within the challenge between two neighboring nations.
who accused teams wanting to wear the rainbow sash of sending a "very divisive message" to the Islamic and Arab world.
Today will be a challenge within the challenge between two neighboring nations.
who accused teams wanting to wear the rainbow sash of sending a "very divisive message" to the Islamic and Arab world.
Today will be a challenge within the challenge between two neighboring nations.
"What does the rivalry between England and Wales mean? They are there and we are here. It is like any other two countries that border each other. And between us there is always rivalry and a competitive spirit" says Gareth Southgate to those who ask him , to describe the feelings that divide, or perhaps unite, England and Wales, which are both part of the United Kingdom.
"Even at a sporting level there is a great rivalry - the coach continued -. I come from Yorkshire and I could say that there is the same thing towards the rest of England. However, there will be a fantastic atmosphere at the stadium, and I can not wait".
Speaking of football played, the coach of the Three Lions national team reassures about the condition of Harry Kane, who was given in doubt.
"He's fine, despite the beatings he's taken - says Southgate -.
Everyone said he had ankle problems, but it was his foot.
I think it's available, and in a tournament like the World Cup there's no point in having too many turnovers.
Luckily I have 26 professionals in my squad who understand certain things, even if I realize that then there will be someone who feels bad if he stays out."
Wales are bottom of Group B after drawing with the United States and losing to Iran and must beat England tomorrow to have a chance of reaching the round of 16.
"We haven't even remotely shown the level of performance that led us to qualify for this World Cup - says Welsh coach Robert Page - And that really disappoints me. Regardless of the other results, if we go home or if we go through "We need to put in a performance that our fans can be proud of. We want to react positively and I'm choosing a team that will go out and give everything for the cause."
