Global game goes far beyond pitch for Iran

Nation has more than three points on the line against Argentina

There’s just no getting away from it. As much as you try and take the Iranian national side as a standalone entity based on their results, their achievements and their ambition, nowhere across this World Cup do sport and politics, a team and its nation, entangle more. Where one ends and the other begins remains awkwardly blurred and uncomfortably confused, and it’s partially intentional.

Take as a starting point manager Carlos Queiroz. He was applauded into a press conference ahead of a game he’s said is the biggest in the nation’s history, knowing it’s one of his last chances to make his own history with the side. Despite impressive victories, the money isn’t there to renew his €1.5m contract due to international sanctions against the country. He talked here about the lead-up to this tournament and the effect the real world has had, with foreign training camps cancelled before other issues arose. “We are all aware of political and economic issues,” he said. “We didn’t have the opportunity to warm-up with games against Portugal and Spain but we played with some friendly teams, they didn’t even charge us. At that point we couldn’t have even imagined Argentina but here we are with a wonderful opportunity against a team of geniuses. But our players deserve respect.”

Yet even in their fourth World Cup and after not losing their opening match for the first time ever, whether they are getting respect is debatable. Yesterday Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella at best lacked nuance and, at worst, knowledge when commenting on today’s opponents. “Physically and mentally very strong, of course this is to do with the Iranian culture. They’ve had wars.” But at least there was an understanding outside the Mineirão as some of the 10,000 or so Iranian fans here took a look around. The numbers aren’t surprising, given close to 10 times that number saw them qualify first hand in Tehran; it’s just the difficulty some have had given that those same sanctions mean they can’t withdraw or transfer money.

Back in Iran, despite the sport taking over as the national pastime ahead of weightlifting and wrestling, especially amongst the female population, there’ll be no watching the games in cafes or cinemas. The government’s fears surrounded the coming together or large crowds and the mixing of men and women. Yet oddly, this is a story of old values and new attitudes. In fact one joke openly doing the rounds is they’ll play an 11-0-5 formation in Belo Horizonte with all 11 players defending and the five holy saints in attack.

And then there’s the make-up of this squad which has jarred with some. Goalkeeping coach Dan Gaspar holds a US passport while American player Steven Beitashour also joined up with the team after he didn’t get the call from his own country. “I’m not there to cause any problems,” the 27-year-old with Iranian parents said. But some Iranian immigrants were furious at a decision to play for a regime that forced the exile of so many, along with the Shah.

For sure, much remains the same, but alongside Iran at this tournament has been a push to show the country in a warmer light. At previous World Cups, theirs was a camp shrouded by seclusion and secrecy. But with the help of Nasrollah Sajadi, deputy minister for sport, and Ali Kafashian, president of the football federation, they’ve been welcoming all-comers with all questions. Kafashian was asked earlier in the week by an American about reports they weren’t allowed to exchange shirts later today. “If Mr Lionel Messi wants all 10 Iran shirts, he can have them,” he retorted with a laugh.

It’s been very much a charm offensive. Indeed against the backdrop of a promised investigation into women being banned from stadia, photos of Iranian diplomats taking time out from nuclear talks in Vienna to watch the game emerged. Meanwhile President Hassan Rouhani took an unprecedented step. A cleric, he posed on Twitter in a jersey watching the opening stalemate. Yet at what other press conference could the question tell as much as the answer.

With 35 Iranian journalists following the team, each saying they are allowed to criticise but never delve into the personal lives of players, one asked the manager about “the importance of the words of Mr President?” Queiroz toed the state line, replying, “Of course it’s an honour and privilege to know the president recognises our work but now is time to deliver more. Those words only increase our responsibility. But look, we know about Argentina but you need to know this Iranian team. It’s a team of sacrifice.”

They were words he meant in terms of their on-field attitude. But they could easily refer to how they are being used to try and alter the image of an entire nation as well.