The Iranian players unenthusiastically sang their national anthem ahead of the 2022 World Cup match against the United States on Tuesday in Doha, as they had done in their second match and unlike their first meeting.
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The choice, described as “
collective
” by captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh before the World Cup, not to sing in their opening match against England, had been seen as a sign of support for the victims of the harshly repressed demonstrations. in their country.
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This Iran - United States meeting is highly political since the two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations and Iran is experiencing an unprecedented protest movement bloodily repressed by Tehran.
In sporting terms, the stakes are also crucial: the winner of this meeting will be qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup and the loser will be eliminated.
During the anthem, a few whistles came down from the stands at al-Thumama Stadium, as the players appeared relaxed in the hallway leading to the pitch, smiling at times.