Egypt celebrates historic advance after draw with Iran

Egypt moved beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle on Friday, Al Jazeera reported. The result left Iran waiting on other results to see whether it would qualify for the round of 32 as one of the best third-place teams.

Al Jazeera reported that Egyptian fans celebrated outside the stadium after the final whistle, with supporters marking a breakthrough moment for their national team. Daniel Salib, an Egypt supporter wearing the country’s flag, told Al Jazeera he felt proud after Egypt’s performances against Iran, New Zealand and Belgium.

Iran had chances to take more from the game, according to Al Jazeera. The team had a first-half penalty saved, struck the frame of the goal late on and saw a goal ruled out by VAR for offside during a late spell of pressure.

Saeed Nassef, an Iran supporter, told Al Jazeera he was disappointed by the draw but still hoped Iran could advance. He said the Iranian players had performed well despite difficult circumstances.

Politics outside the stadium

Al Jazeera reported that opponents of Iran’s government gathered outside the Seattle venue before and after the match. Some protesters carried US and Israeli flags and held images of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Iranian opposition figure.

Nassef, who carried Iran’s official flag, told Al Jazeera that he and other fans had been harassed by opposition activists. He said he came to support the players and wanted the day to be about sport.

After the match, Al Jazeera said it saw a confrontation between antigovernment activists and a fan carrying an Iranian flag. According to Al Jazeera, protesters insulted the fan, called him a terrorist and used Islamophobic chants before police separated him from a man speaking through a megaphone.

The fan, identified by Al Jazeera only as Milad, said his support was for Iran’s players and people rather than a political cause. He told Al Jazeera the team had tried to bring joy to others.

Fans share the stands

Inside the stadium, Al Jazeera described a full and loud crowd, with Egyptian and Iranian supporters taking photos together at halftime. After the match, several Egyptian players consoled Iranian players who were upset by the result, according to the report.

Al Jazeera said fans alternated chants for Iran and Egypt during the game. A small number of pre-1979 Iranian flags appeared in the crowd, but the official Iranian flag was more common, according to Al Jazeera.

The match was designated as the World Cup’s Pride Match, and Al Jazeera reported that some spectators carried LGBTQ+ pride flags and rainbow items. The outlet said no problems were apparent inside the stadium related to those displays.

Egyptian supporters wore pharaoh-themed clothing and headpieces, according to Al Jazeera. Karim Elshabini, who wore a pharaoh-style headpiece and an Egypt shirt, told Al Jazeera that Egyptian and Iranian fans were enjoying the atmosphere together.

Palestinian flags and war messages

Al Jazeera reported that Palestinian flags were visible at the match, including behind the goals. Egypt fan Bilal Ali, who brought one of the flags, told Al Jazeera he preferred to keep politics away from football but felt unable to stay silent while Palestinians were being killed in Gaza and elsewhere.

Several Egyptian and Iranian fans shouted support for Palestine while passing Ali, according to Al Jazeera.

Another Iran supporter, identified by Al Jazeera only as Hameed, wore a shirt reading “Minab 168.” He told Al Jazeera the shirt was meant to remember victims of a school in southern Iran that he said was bombed on the first day of the US-Israel war on Iran, and he called for a credible investigation.

By the end, Al Jazeera reported, Egypt’s sporting milestone dominated the scene. Rafael Youssef, an Egypt fan with the national colors painted on his cheek, told Al Jazeera he was happy to witness the team’s progress after years of support.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.