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A nation divided over Team Melli as Iran faces Belgium

Al Monitor 2026/06/22 01:19

Hundreds of football fans gathered beneath the towering bookshelves of Tehran Book Garden on Sunday night to watch Iran take on Belgium in the World Cup.

Unlike many national teams whose supporters rally unquestioningly behind them however, Team Melli arrived at kickoff carrying the weight of deep divisions at home.

Inside the sprawling cultural complex, families, students, pensioners and young couples filled rows of seats facing giant screens broadcasting the match from the United States.

Read full story at source (Al Monitor)