Iran’s World Cup Squad Threatened by State Government Ahead of Final Group Game Against USA

• Iran’s government has threatened family members of the country’s World Cup soccer team with potential imprisonment and torture
• Iran’s government got angered after the team choose not to sing the national anthem at the World Cup match in their first group game against England
• Iran will later on Tuesday, November 29th take on the United States in a winners take all match for a place in the World Cup knockout stages

Iran’s players’ decision to sing the country’s national anthem has been revealed to be as a result of threats from the state government on their families.

The government was believed to have been angered by the team’s decision not to sing the national anthem in their first group game against England.

According to Marca, Iran's players were informed that their families would face "violence and torture" if they did not sing the anthem or joined any protest against the Tehran regime.

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All of the players that lined out for Iran's triumph over Wales the following game sung the national anthem, proving that the threats were effective.

Iran has also been accused of sending a large number of Iranian security officers in Qatar who are collecting information and monitoring the players.

USA not feeling the pressure of facing Iran

Meanwhile, USA defender Walker Zimmerman says the pressure that comes with playing Iran in a game that must be won is nothing to worry about, ESPN reports.

The American team will face Iran at the Al Thumama Stadium on Tuesday, November 29 with a spot in the knockout rounds on the line.

Iran is one point ahead of USA in the standings thanks to a 2-0 win over Wales, making the game a must-win for the Americans, while a draw will likely be enough for Iran to advance.

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Iran demand USA are kicked out of World Cup

Earlier, Sports Brief reported tensions are high ahead of the final Group B clash between Iran and the United States of America, after the Middle-East country beckoned on FIFA to expel the Stars and Stripes from the ongoing World Cup.

The USA, in a gesture meant to show support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights, posted an altered image of the Iranian flag while showing the World Cup Group B standings.

The USA decided to remove the Islamic Republic's 'Allah' emblem and the 'takbirs' from Iran's three-coloured flag, which has angered the Islamic republic