sport news Tensions rise between USA and Iran before World Cup game over USMNT showing ... trends now

sport news Tensions rise between USA and Iran before World Cup game over USMNT showing ... trends now
sport news Tensions rise between USA and Iran before World Cup game over USMNT showing ... trends now

sport news Tensions rise between USA and Iran before World Cup game over USMNT showing ... trends now

Tensions rise between USA and Iran before World Cup game as USMNT shows Iranian flag on social media without emblem of ruling Islamic Republic in solidarity 'for women fighting for basic human rights'

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The US soccer federation is displaying Iran's national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, saying the move supports protesters in Iran ahead of the two nations' World Cup match Tuesday.

Iran's government reacted by accusing America of removing the name of God from their national flag. The decision by the US Soccer Federation adds yet-another political firestorm to the Middle East's first World Cup, one which organizers had hoped would be spared of off-the-field controversies.

The US faces Iran in a decisive World Cup match, which was already freighted by the decades of enmity between the two countries and the nationwide protests now challenging Tehran's theocratic government.

USA needs to win to advance into the last-16 of the tournament in Qatar while for Iran, a tie would get them into the knockout stage for the first time in its history as long as Wales doesn't surprisingly beat England. 

The US Soccer Federation said in a statement Sunday that it decided to forego the official flag on social media accounts to show 'support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.'

The Twitter account of the U.S. men's team displayed a banner with the squad's matches in the group stage, with the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors. The same could be seen in a post on its Facebook and Instagram accounts laying out the point totals so far in its group.

The US Soccer Federation displayed the official

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