Women’s rights are once again front and center as Iran’s national football team prepares for the World Cup. They were never so far away.

Anti-government protests have engulfed the Islamic Republic following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly wearing a compulsory headscarf too loosely.

Players from the men’s team which will face England, Wales and the United States next month in Qatar have expressed their support for Iranian women’s rights, despite some initial hesitation.

In January, Iran grabbed headlines not only by beating Iraq 1-0 to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup, but also because 2,000 women were allowed to attend the game at Azadi Stadium. from Tehran. Two months later, however, the women were barred from attending another match and reportedly pepper sprayed.

Women have generally been banned from attending men’s games and other sporting events in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. A rights group has called on FIFA to kick Iran out of the tournament in Qatar.

Security forces have violently suppressed recent protests. Mehdi Taremi, the striker who scored in the win over Iraq, wrote on Instagram that he was “ashamed” to see Iranian videos of violence against women in the streets.

IN THE FIELD

The Iranians have a tough first game – against England on November 21. They face Wales four days later before another showdown with the United States. This final group match – aside from being politically charged – could be key for both teams to advance.

Iran took note of some headlines in Britain after the draw was announced. A tabloid said England had secured a ‘dream World Cup draw’ against Iran – and the United States.

“It’s exactly the same feeling I have – thank God we’re playing against England,” Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said after being re-hired in early September. “We like to play against the best teams in the world. England are one of the best teams in Europe – Iran one of the best teams in Asia, that’s why we are here, to play great games.

Iran never made it past the first round. He has played in five previous World Cups, having made his debut in 1978.

IRAN versus USA

Iran beat the United States 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup in France in one of the most memorable games in tournament history, largely due to the political backdrop.

The United States has not had formal diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980, following the seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran by Iranian students who held them hostage for 444 days.

The day before the match in Lyon, the Iranian team was instructed not to shake hands with American players. Instead, in a show of sportsmanship from both sides, the teams gathered before kick-off for a group photo.

Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia scored before Brian McBride scored late for the United States in Iran’s first-ever World Cup win. Neither team made it out of the group. The teams played a friendly game two years later at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

ON STANDBY

Taremi, 30, peaks at the right time. He netted twice for Porto in a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen a week after netting both goals in a 2-0 win over the German club in the Champions League.

Queiroz will likely be without striker Sardar Azmoun, who tore a calf muscle in early October while warming up for Leverkusen. The Bundesliga club say Azmoun, 27, is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Azmoun has 41 goals in 65 appearances for Iran.

Alireza Beiranvand saved a penalty against Cristiano Ronaldo in a 1-1 draw with Portugal at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In recent friendlies, Iran beat Uruguay 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Senegal in Austria.

Q-FACTOR

Queiroz was rehired as Iran coach in early September to replace Dragan Skocic. This will be Queiroz’s fourth World Cup. He managed Iran in 2014 and 2018 and coached his native Portugal in 2010. He became available after failing to lead Egypt to that year’s tournament.

Queiroz has used a variety of formations and is defensive.

“We’re going to play against some of the best players in the world,” Queiroz said, “but we’re going to be ready for them.”

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