Qatar World Cup: U.S.-Iran dispute recalls clashes

You U.S It is Will entered the field at 4 pm this Tuesday (29) to play the last match of the Group B phase of the Qatar World Cup. The spot for the round of 16 is at stake.

For the United States to qualify, it is necessary to beat the Iranians. A draw would be enough for Iran to qualify for the round of 16 of a World Cup for the first time. This is the sixth participation of the Iranian team in the world tournament.

The confrontation in the case of the two countries goes beyond the sports field, as they have faced political tensions since the 1980s.

Read too: 50 curiosities about Qatar, host country of the 2022 World Cup

Conflicts between the United States and Iran

The contentious relationship between the United States and Iran began after the Second World War.

A ajax operation it was a foreign intervention that culminated in a coup d'état in Iran in 1953. The procedure had the participation of the United States Intelligence Service, the CIA.

On this occasion, the first democratically elected ruler, Prime Minister Mohamed Mossadeq, stepped down from power. A

monarchy was restored and who occupied the position was the shah Mohamed Reza Pahlevi, who had the support of the USA.

Since then, relations between the two countries have been strained. The situation became more intense with the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In November 1979, the US embassy in Iran was occupied by a group of Iranian students. Diplomats, officials and US citizens were held hostage by the protesters. The occupation and kidnapping lasted 444 days.

Check out all about the Islamic Revolution in the video below:

Delete request

This Monday (28), Iranian state media made a request to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to eliminate the United States from the Qatar Cup.

The fact occurred after the publication of the US Football Federation in which the flag of Iran appears without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, only with the bands of colors.

According to Iranian media, the distorted publication of Iran's flag violates FIFA's statute, which would justify a 10-match suspension.

The publication without the emblem would be a form of support for the demonstrations in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who was arrested by police in Tehran for an alleged dress code violation (learn more about the hijab). The young woman died three days after her arrest.

The case has sparked outrage among Iranians and other countries alike. There were protests against the compulsory use of hijab.

Know more: the 32 countries participating in the World Cup

Do not stop now... There's more after the publicity ;)

First World Cup duel

The first time the United States and Iran played in a world Cup it was in the 1998 edition, in the France.

This game became known as "peace game" and drew the world's attention to the political situation experienced by the two nations.

At the entrance, the national team players posed together for a historic photo. There was also the white flower delivery by the Iranians to the Americans.

Iran beat the United States 2-1.

Check also: Where and when was the first World Cup held?

By Lucas Afonso
Journalist