FIFA World Cup 2022: Iranians celebrate their own team’s defeat to protest against regime
Sanandaj, Kamyaran and Mahsa Amini's hometown Saqqez saw dance and fireworks after the game.
New Delhi: Iranian fans celebrated USA’s victory over Iran as a sign of taking a stand against anybody affiliated with the government. USA beat Iran 1-0 to qualify for the round of 16 in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, meanwhile, many Iranian residents got on the road to celebrate the defeat. The protesters have disowned the national football team which they see as a part of the oppressive regime.
The Iranian people are out in the streets in Marivan celebrating the Islamic Republic’s loss to Team USA and chanting for freedom. So humiliating for #Iran’s regime.#MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/sbxatIArFY
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) November 29, 2022
Videos of people dancing on streets went viral on the internet. The nation saw the cutting of hair and burning of tyres as a sign of protest against the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody for not wearing her hijab properly. This time the protests came in form of dance and joy in the cities. Sanandaj, Kamyaran and Mahsa Amini’s hometown Saqqez saw dance and fireworks after the game.
Waving American flag in the streets of Iran.
For 43 years regime brainwashed Iranians to hate America.
But see how people across Iran are celebrating the victory of Us soccer team against the Islamic Republic.People are heard shouting “America, we are behind you.”#MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/cjvQ89GFMy
— Masih Alinejad ?️ (@AlinejadMasih) November 30, 2022
Although, the Iranian team has separated itself from the government and they too protested against the oppressive regime by not singing the national anthem in the game against England. While many Iranians and the world saw this as a bold step, some people are still relating the team to the state.
In the game, while the ball possession was pretty equal between both teams, it was the USA that dominated the game. The dominance was also converted into a goal when McKennie passed the ball to Dest and he assisted America’s star footballer Christian Pulisic who scored the goal. USA stood second in group B and now they will face the Netherlands in the round of 16, while the tournament is over for Iran.