Many non-Iranian journalists have taken to social media to provide updates on the status of the team. They have covered a broad range of news, including Team Melli's relationship with the regime, their restrictions in Qatar, responses to early results, and quotes from the staff.
Source: https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1597276697769803777?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Source: https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1597276697769803777?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Beyond the realm of journalism, public comment sections have provided an equally important stage for hosting international discourse. The image seen to the right is taken from a recent United States Men's National Team Instagram post, though this type of comment section is infectiously common among all World Cup-related content. Two types of opinions generally claim the majority of comments:
1. The Iranian National team is a representative of the Islamic Republic and ought to be jeered
2. Iranians worldwide must reclaim the team as a unifier and continue to support their success
1. The Iranian National team is a representative of the Islamic Republic and ought to be jeered
2. Iranians worldwide must reclaim the team as a unifier and continue to support their success
The USMNT's Instagram made headlines on November 27th for posting a picture with an altered version of the Iranian flag (removing the emblem of the Islamic Republic). This was no mistake; US Soccer went on record to say that this choice was an intentional 24-hour change in order to show support for the protesters and stand in solidarity against the regime. The media firestorm that ensued was ruthless. Between the Iranian government calling for FIFA to dispel the US from the tournament and Iranian state media's searing press conference with US Captain Tyler Adams and Coach Gregg Berhalter, this single post flared US-Iran relations to a dangerous temperature.
Perhaps the most profound use of social media, however, has been by the players themselves. Many players have changed their icons on Twitter or Instagram to plain black, as pictured to the right. This is done as a display of solidarity and mourning to those who have lost their lives during the protests. Sardar Azmoun, whose account is pictured, has taken his activism a step beyond changing his profile picture. He has frequently posted clear messages of support for Iranian women, including this post from September 28th. Azmoun, who resides in Germany, has a higher degree of internet access and free speech protection than many of his teammates; his use of this platform is extremely honorable, and ought to be celebrated.