Iran team downplays protests: We aren't political
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and forward Mehdi Taremi said that they will be playing for all Iranians at the FIFA World Cup, as the prospect of protests looms ahead of their opening game against New Zealand.
LOS ANGELES -- Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and forward Mehdi Taremi said they would be playing for all Iranians at the FIFA World Cup , as the prospect of protests looms ahead of their opening game against New Zealand on Monday.
Iran's squad touched down in Los Angeles on Sunday for the first of three Group G games that are to be staged in the United States . Monday's meeting with the Kiwis is set to be followed by an encounter with Belgium also in Los Angeles on June 21, then a clash with Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Monday's match will take place against a backdrop of a conflict that began in…
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