The World Cup is known for its enthusiastic displays of nationalism, bringing teams representing countries from around the world to compete in the quadrennial soccer competition. In short, it’s fun, a little more intense than your typical sporting event, and the topic of conversation for weeks on end. But this year’s Cup in Qatar flirts with peeling back the layers on what it truly means to be patriotic.
On Monday morning, Iran’s national team made a powerful statement preceding their game with England. While the Iranian National Anthem played before kick-off, the Iranian players lined up — but refrained from singing. Not only was the decision to remain silent a show of solidarity with ongoing protests in Iran — the most significant one stemming from the suspicious death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after being detained by Iran’s morality police — but it also proved to be a major one considering The World Cup is deemed “the most-watched sporting event on the planet,” according to CBS News. Ahead of this year’s launch, FIFA projected 5 billion people will tune in to catch the series of games. All eyes were on Iran.
