Iranians Divided: Passion and Indifference Mark World Cup Duel with Belgium

A stark division in sentiment is evident among Iranians concerning their national football team, "Team Melli," as it competes in the 2026 World Cup. While passion and fervent support are on display for some, a significant portion of the population expresses indifference towards the team's performance.

This dichotomy was palpable during Iran's second group stage match against Belgium, which ended in a goalless draw. In Tehran's Bagh Ketab (Book Garden), hundreds of fans, including families and young people adorned with national colors and vuvuzelas, gathered to watch the game on a giant screen. They experienced every moment with palpable excitement and nervousness, erupting in a cheer for a disallowed goal.

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It was a great match. I feel proud of the team's demonstration. We achieved a great draw against the strongest team in the group.

Alirza, a 34-year-old fan, expressed pride in the team's performance, calling it a "great match" and a "great draw against the strongest team in the group." He hopes for a victory against Egypt to secure a place in the knockout stage for the first time. Another fan, Arash, lauded the match as one of the team's best in its seven World Cup appearances. However, he also voiced frustration over travel restrictions imposed by the U.S., the co-host, criticizing them as unfair and contrary to FIFA's principles.

Conversely, the enthusiastic atmosphere at Bagh Ketab does not represent all Iranians. A segment of society has chosen to disengage from the national team, feeling a sense of apathy. This detachment, according to some fans, stems from the players' perceived stance on recent political and social events, particularly following the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests and subsequent demonstrations where thousands reportedly died. The traditional football fervor has waned, replaced by a disconnect attributed to these socio-political factors.

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The conditions are not fair either. In a World Cup, FIFA rules should prevail, and the host country should not have the ability to violate the rules governing world football.