Iran Football Federation releases images from the team's trip to the World Cup Iran debuts in the World Cup this Monday (15) against New Zealand, in Los Angeles, USA. But, before even taking the field, the Iranian team's participation was marked by uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. The country, which has been at war with the United States and Israel since the end of February, even considered giving up its place, as the team's three games in the group stage are scheduled for American cities, one of the host countries, alongside Canada and Mexico. This is not the first time, however, that politics has crossed the path of the Iranian team in the World Cup. Iran's presence at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar went far beyond football. The team arrived at the tournament carrying the weight of an internal political crisis, marked by protests against the ayatollahs' regime and diplomatic tension. The Iranian campaign 4 years ago was known until then as one of the most politicized in the history of the World Cup. On the field, Iran fell into the same group as the USA and lost the decisive match that was worth a place in the round of 16, being eliminated from the competition. It was only the second time that the teams had dueled in a World Cup - the first, in 1998, was known as the "peace game" and was won by the Iranians. G1 remembers the Iranian team's participation in the World Cup in Qatar below: Convocation under protests Silence in the anthem and pressure from the regime Elimination by the USA and request for pardon Bloody tears in the stands Spies and repression 1. Convocation under protests Even before the ball rolled, the Iranian team was already involved in controversies. The call was postponed amid the demonstrations that took over the country's streets following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old young woman detained by the morality police. There were international calls for Iran to be excluded from the World Cup, such as the Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk, which suggested Ukraine enter in its place. Context: Iran experienced a wave of protests in 2022 in reaction to the case of the young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, aged 22, who appeared dead after being arrested by the country's customs police for "inappropriate use" of the Islamic veil, mandatory in Iran. At the time, the acts were harshly repressed by the Ayatollah regime. 2. Silence in the anthem and pressure from the regime Iranian team during presentation on the field in Doha, Qatar Marko Djurica/REUTERS In the debut against England, the players refused to sing the national anthem, in solidarity with the protests. The gesture gained worldwide repercussion, but brought consequences: reports indicated that the regime threatened to arrest and torture the athletes' families if the silence was repeated. From the second game onwards, the players started singing again, under obvious pressure. 3. Elimination by the US and request for pardon Photo shared by Iranian national team midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi of the player with a young man shot dead by police in Iran after the country's defeat in the World Cup, on November 30, 2022. Reproduction/ Social networks On the field, Iran was eliminated in the group stage, after one victory and two defeats - one of them to the USA. Debut against England (21/11): 6-2 defeat, also marked by a violent collision between goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and a defender, which forced his substitution. Victory against Wales (25/11): 2-0 victory in stoppage time. In the stands, fans cried and displayed posters with messages such as “We are all Mahsa”. Confrontation against the USA (11/29): The decisive duel carried decades of political rivalry. The match was preceded by controversy: the North American federation published the Iranian flag without the Islamic emblem, which led to a request for the Iranians to be excluded from the World Cup. On the field, 1-0 defeat and elimination. After the final whistle, players fell to the pitch crying. Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi asked for forgiveness: “I hope they forgive us” (see image above). Context: 24 years separated the first and second clash between Iran and the USA in the World Cup. In 1998, the two teams had a memorable duel in the French Cup, with a 2-1 victory for the Iranians. The match was called the "Peace Game" and took place during a period of rapprochement between Iran and the West. 4. Tears of blood in the stands An Iran fan is photographed inside the stadium before the match while protesting Dylan Martinez/REUTERS Fans protested inside and outside the stadiums during the Qatar Cup. One of the most striking images is of the fan who painted her face representing tears of blood during the match between Iran and Wales. She also showed off an Iranian national team t-shirt with Mahsa Amini's name on it. The woman was not identified at the time for security reasons. Groups of fans were also seen outside the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium demonstrating in various ways. Some of them wore t-shirts with the words "Woman, Life and Freedom". Posters were also seen calling for freedom for Iran and the end of the Islamic republic. Supporters wave Iranian flags and a woman holds a sign reading "Freedom for Iran. No to the Islamic Republic" Jin-Man Lee/AP 5. Spies and repression During the tournament, fans accused the Iranian government of sending spies to Qatar to monitor the demonstrations. Political tension was also reflected outside the stadiums, with reports of intimidation and monitoring of those protesting.