Tonight’s much awaited Group B clash between USA and Iran could well be one of the most important matches of this edition as they prepare to lock horns at the World cup for the first time since 1998. In this feature, Sportzcraazy will point out 5 reasons why USA Vs. Iran holds historic importance.
1. Iran asking FIFA to ban USA for 10 games – The winner of this encounter between USA and Iran will book their spot at the round of 16 as 3 points will be enough for both the sides to finish second in Group B only if England doesn’t win their tie against Wales. Back in 1998 when these two last met, there was a lot of political heatwave in the build-up, which we will discuss later on but the scenario this year might not be as hot as it was 24 years but the tension is still on. Iran is witnessing one of the brutal mass protests since September after a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa Amini suffered death while at police custody for allegedly violating country’s hijab laws. In the light of that event, several nations wanted Iran to be dropped from the WC before their win against Wales few days ago. USA, meanwhile increased the tension further after displaying Iran’s flag (without their emblem) in social media posts which was added in 1980. The US Soccer federation said that it “wanted to show support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights”. In return, Iran took to FIFA about this issue and asked the apex football governing body to ban USA for at least 10 games under FIFA’s rules for “offending the country’s dignity”.
Iran are calling for USA to be kicked out of the tournament! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NFDLXZzWFg
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 28, 2022
2. Repeat of the “Mother of all Games” – 1998’s fixture between USA and Iran was regarded as the “Mother of all games and “Match of the century” because of the diplomatic relations both the countries shared. The Iranian revolution in 1980, which actually began in 1950 against the US raised the importance of their fixture in 1998 at France. On paper, it looked like just another Group stage fixture between two teams but the then Iran head coach Jalal Talebi labelled that encounter as the “Mother of all games” or “Match of the century” or “Great Satans taking of Axis of Evil”. Half of us might not have been alive to witness the unrest before the match, but according to reliable sources Hank Steinbercher then (US Soccer federation General secretary) received calls from the White house (“We are going to win this game aren’t we”?) (“This news is going around the world”) while former Iran footballer Mohammad Khakpour received calls from innocent Iranians who lost their families during the war between Iran and Iraq saying “Fathers, mothers called and said this game really do matter to us. You have to go and win this game for us”.
3. 1998’s fixture between the two had Terror threats looming – Ahead of USA and Iran’s clash in 1998, several US outlets claimed that Terrorist organizations were lining up to attack the players from USA as well as England to showcase their disagreement on the war. The whole thing was unfurled after coordinated raids in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. The terror groups reportedly added USA’s training camp just outside of Paris as one of the key targets “to blow up”. Due to the security threats – helicopters, fighter jets were flying above the training base and the police were hiding behind trees and had machine guns in their hands to counter any threat that came around. The tension was so high that the US footballers were only thinking about the terror attacks being conspired against them. “We had high security. Osama Bin Laden was trying to do something to the team, blow up the team or something like that” – recalls former USA captain Thomas Dooley. He also admitted that while travelling through train for their clash against Germany the hot topic was “when do we blow up, whether its now, five seconds or a minute? It’s constantly thinking about that kind of stuff”.
4. USA Vs. Iran in 1998 went on under the surveillance of 150 armed Policemen – Just 24 hours before kick-off, the tension further increased after the Irani players refused to shake hands with USA’s. However, the USA were willing to do so but FIFA’s protocols suggested otherwise. The ice was broken by the match referee from Switzerland Urs Meir, who asked for a group photo of the teams, asked them to shake hands and white roses should be exchanged to avoid the diplomacy on the pitch. Meanwhile, reports also indicated that Iran’s opposing political leader Mojahedin Khaleq and co. had plans to disrupt the high-octane fixture from going smoothly and as a result around 150 armed policemen had to provide security on the stands.
5. History favors Iran but USA’s form advocates them – The last time both the teams met each other during a competitive football match was back in January 2000 for a friendly in California with both sides playing a 1-1 draw. During their previous World cup encounter in 1998 at France, Iran went on to defeat USA by 2-1 and aided for USA’s elimination from that edition. Moreover, USA have lost their third World cup group stage match in 7 out of 8 participations and Iran are on a hunt to win 2 WC matches for the first time in the history. The Stars and stripes have won only 2 out of 14 World cup matches and they are yet to draw three games in a row.
The head-to-head 📊#USMNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/YQ8lRzaLjJ
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022
So, history clearly favors Iran but USA played a great game against England during their last group stage match but the tone has been set and it remains to be seen.
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