The FIFA World Cup kicks off in just a few days. The FIFA World Cup is widely considered the most popular sporting event in the world. While this is a sporting event, and as much as FIFA likes to keep football neutral, political, religious, or personal messages are generally prohibited, and players and teams are not supposed to use matches for political statements, politics always finds its way into the game.

The FIFA World Cup has never truly been free from politics — and some years stand out as especially controversial. This year is one of them. While it is an honor for every country to qualify for the World Cup, Iranians have mixed feelings.