The World Cup’s ability to bring people together, across countries, languages and cultures, is a long-standing trope, and one that has substance to it.

Still, we should not get carried away and suggest Iran’s entertaining draw with New Zealand this week will change much from a political or societal perspective. Off the pitch and away from ‘Team Melli’ (the National Team’) seismic problems remain.

For the past three months the country has been at war with one of the World Cup’s host nations America – though an unratified peace deal has reportedly been signed - while outside the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday hundreds of anti-regime protesters made their feelings known.

In the build-up to this summer’s tournament President Trump stated that the ‘life and safety’ of Iranian players was at risk should they participate while some members of Iran’s backroom staff have not been granted visas for the US.

After their opening game against the All Whites, the team were instructed to immediately return to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico. They had originally planned to set up camp in Arizona.

Inserting positivity into conversation

Naturally and understandably, therefore, almost all of the coverage focusing on Iran thus far has been about such momentous issues; politics taking centre stage over football.

What Team Melli’s performance did in LA, however, was move the dial back to the beautiful game, even if only in part.

Despite possessing a coach deemed to be cautious, Iran tore into New Zealand, and the All Whites reciprocated in kind, subsequently producing one of the most enjoyable spectacles to date this summer. Four goals derived from their combined approach, along with 31 shots, 12 of them on target.

For New Zealand, Elijah Just impressed, scoring twice, while for Team Melli their legendary striker Mehdi Taremi was the stand-out star, always threatening, always looking to make something happen.

It was the former Porto and Inter Milan forward’s 105th cap for his country, scoring 58 goals along the way.

Striking the post from distance midway through the first half, and completing a mazy dribble soon after got fans out of their seats, the 33-year-old’s adventurous display duly reflecting his belief that the game can be a power for good, as illustrated by comments made by the player on arrival in the US.

“We are here as footballers to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians, irrespective of where they live.”

“Everyone can have their own opinion. We are not here to get involved in politics; we are here to play football.”

It’s an inspiring sentiment, one that the forward made manifest in LA. Iran’s next fixture is against Belgium on Sunday before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Mehdi Taremi Factsheet

Despite having a father and older brother who were professional footballers, Taremi wanted to be a policeman when he was a child.

For Porto, he twice won the Bola de Prata, the award given for the Primeira Liga’s leading goal-scorer.

The forward is known for his acrobatic bicycle kicks, scoring the Champions League Goal of the Season in 2020/21 for such a feat.

Though he has never been nominated for a Ballon d’Or he has won a Topa Ballon d’Or, an award given to Iran’s best player.

He has however played alongside numerous Ballon d’Or nominees, including Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella.