There were tentative intimations in the build-up to this World Cup that in a derby-laden Group B, Iran versus the USA might not be quite the grudge match it once was.
Clearly, those suggestions were wide of the mark.
As the two countries prepare to meet tonight in what is effectively a knockout game for both, tensions have been raised and old fires stoked following a remarkable press conference on Monday.
Frustrated by the persistent questioning of Iran players over the unrest and human rights protests at home, the country’s media put the shoe on the other foot, quizzing USA coach Gregg Berhalter and captain Tyler Adams on a number of political issues, from racism and immigration policy, to inflation and the presence of a US Navy fleet in the Persian Gulf.
There were false-equivalences and a degree of whataboutism, but also plenty of home truths, the same kind dolled out by Iran coach Carlos Quieroz before their opener with England, when he highlighted Britain’s own problems with its treatment of migrants.
Adams handled the grilling with grace, apologising for the Americanised mispronunciation of “Eye-ran” and urging progress and education on all sides on the topic of discrimination.
Earlier, Iranian state media had called for the expulsion of their opponents from the World Cup after US Soccer’s website displayed the Iranian flag without the symbol of the Islamic Republic in a show of support for demonstrators in the country.
Heading into the tournament, there had been similar calls for Iran to be kicked out over claims their government had supplied drones to Russia in its war on Ukraine.
Tonight, one of the two sides will belatedly get their wish — only it will be football, rather than political lobbying, that decides the issue.
