DOHA, Qatar – A World Cup buildup laced in controversy and geopolitical undertones has conjured up the most politically charged of matchups on the field in Qatar.
Just like at the international showpiece for men’s soccer in 1998, the United States will play Iran with diplomatic relations yet to be restored between the nations since being severed in the 1970s.
The Mother of All Games, Part II.
“I’m not political,” Iran’s Croatian coach, Dragan Skocic, said. “I focus on football. I think this is the best way in sport, and also we should give people the chance to make the situation better.”
The hope for the November meeting will be for a repeat of the tranquility around the 1998 encounter in France, where the Iranians brought white roses for their American opponents before winning 2-1.