Iran vs USA: All eyes set on the World Cup’s most political match

Iran will be taking USA in the World Cup’s most political match on Tuesday in Qatar.

The match kicks off at 22:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

All eyes are set on the match as the tensions are high between both the countries amid political and a-political concerns.

It was a day ago when Iran called for the US to be kicked out of the 2022 World Cup after the United States Soccer Federation changed Iran’s flag on its social media platforms to show support for protesters.

Its after the 24 years that Iran and USA are to meet again in the group stage.

The US and Iran faced each other in Lyon during the 1998 World Cup, the circumstances were vastly different amid Diplomatic tensions, terror threats and Osama Bin Laden.

Iran’s 2-1 victory was its first at a World Cup and one that ensured the US would progress no further in the competition.

The playing conditions will be the same for the political foes that will meet in their final group B match in a game.

The winner will continue its World Cup 2022 journey at the expense of the other, just like back in 1998.

The winner team of today’s match will advance into the next round, the last 16.

At the group level, Iran currently has three points from two games after losing 6-2 to England in its first game but winning 2-0 against Wales in its second game.

While the US has won two points after playing two games, having drawn its first two games against Wales and England.

However, if the match ends in a draw, the US will be eliminated, but Iran will have to see what happens in the other final game in group B, England versus Wales.

Assuming England avoids defeat against Wales, as it is expected to do, a draw in the US-Iran match will see Iran reach the last 16.

Given that, Iran has the upper hand going into the match, as a mere draw will likely see them reach the last 16.

On the other hand, the US can only advance with a win.