Amid geopolitical tension, Iran draws with New Zealand in their debut match

Following the geopolitical tensions, uncertainties regarding participation, and difficulties accessing the United States, Iran made its World Cup debut on North American soil. Amidst geopolitical tensions, uncertainty over participation, and difficulties accessing the United States, Iran debuted at the World Cup on North American soil. On this Monday (15th), the Asian side drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Los Angeles, as part of Group G of the competition. In terms of goals scored, Iranians and New Zealanders lead the group, which also includes Belgium and Egypt. The four teams currently have one point each. Earlier this Monday, Egyptians and Belgians played to a 1-1 draw in Seattle. The Asian and Oceanian teams dream of an unprecedented qualification to the second stage of the World Cup. Iran's next commitment will be against Belgium, again in Los Angeles, at 4:00 PM (Brasília time) on Sunday (20th). On the same day, at 10:00 PM, New Zealand will travel to Canada to face Egypt in Vancouver. **Off-field Crisis** A match by the Iranian national team had not been as highly anticipated since their game against the United States (USA) in the World Cup in France, 28 years ago. This was less due to the quality of the spectacle and more due to the expectations generated by the war with the Americans. The country is hosting all three of the Asian team's matches in the group stage of the World Cup. A request to transfer the matches to Mexico, which is also hosting the competition, was not accepted. Despite the 60-day ceasefire agreement announced on Sunday (14th), the conflict had already spilled over enough into sports. Players, officials, and members of Iran's coaching staff faced difficulties obtaining entry visas for the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump even stated in March that the Asian team was "welcome" to the Cup, but that the country's participation would not be "appropriate." The political crisis may also have impacted the squad selection. Forward Sardar Azmoun, the third-highest scorer for the national team, missed the World Cup, according to the official version, due to missing deadlines for obtaining a visa. In March, he appeared in a photo alongside the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and an official of Shabab Al-Ahli, the club he plays for. The problem is that the country is an ally of the United as well. The Iranians are concentrated in Tijuana, Mexico. The team was authorized to enter U.S. soil one day before the group stage matches, according to the Department of Homeland Security of the host nation. The team arrived in Los Angeles late Sunday afternoon and will have to leave the country this Tuesday (16th). Furthermore, hours before kickoff, members of the Persian community in Los Angeles gathered in front of the game venue to protest against the Iranian government. While some were there also to support the team, for others, the national team should be removed from the Cup, and the athletes were seen as complicit with the current regime. Protesters displayed the flag featuring a lion and a sun at its center, which ceased to be the official flag after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Because it