London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025

"People In Iran Want Team To Lose World Cup": Activist's Powerful Video

"People In Iran Want Team To Lose World Cup": Activist's Powerful Video

Masih Alinejad, sharing a powerful montage of the protests, said that she wants Iranian people to win in the streets where they are being killed for demanding freedom
The Iran football team has been at the eye of the storm since over participation in the FIFA World Cup amid anti-government protests gripping the country. The squad, known as Team Melli, was today criticised by Iranian activist Masih Alinejad, who said that the football team doesn't represent the people of Iran, but the government.

"Iran is the only country in the World Cup that its people want their national football team to lose since the team doesn't represent the people but the regime," Ms Alinejad posted on Twitter.


Iran has been shaken by two months of nationwide protests since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in morality police custody on September 16. The crackdown since Amini's death has left nearly 400 people dead, according to the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights.

Ms Alinejad is the international face and voice of angry women in Iran who are being beaten, jailed, and even killed for throwing off their hijab and showing their hair. Yesterday, a prominent actor was arrested after she removed her headscarf in public, in an apparent act of defiance.

Masih Alinejad, sharing a powerful montage of the protests, said that she wants Iranian people to win in the streets where they are being killed for demanding freedom and dignity.

Her tweet comes hours after the Iran football team refused to sing the national anthem ahead of their opening match against England as a mark of protest.

The Iranian players stood impassively and grim-faced as their anthem rang out around the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. The gesture is widely seen as a pledge of support for the anti-government protests.

The players have been caught between Iranian officials who want them to show loyalty to Tehran's embattled Islamic establishment and the team's mainly young fans who have urged the footballers to show solidarity with the protests over Mahsa Amini.

Historically Team Melli has been celebrated by Iranians across political divides for triumphing against much stronger international sides and unifying the country.

Past appearances at World Cup tournaments have triggered huge street celebrations in Iran, often coinciding with moments of geopolitical tension or crisis, such as their 1998 World Cup group stage win against the US.
Comments

Dr Shawn Pourgol 3 year ago
I hope to see a day when Iran is fee and Iranians could enjoy human rights and democracy.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
×