Iran fans watch Belgium draw as World Cup hopes stay alive

Iranian supporters gathered in Tehran to watch their national team earn a 0-0 draw against Belgium at the World Cup in Los Angeles, Al Jazeera reported. The result kept Iran in contention for what the outlet described as an unprecedented chance to reach the second round.

The match carried weight for Iran beyond the scoreline. According to Al Jazeera, the draw preserved the team’s hopes at a tournament being played under travel conditions that have complicated its schedule in the United States.

Al Jazeera reported that Iran is competing while subject to strict U.S. travel restrictions. Those rules meant the squad could not stay overnight in Los Angeles after the Belgium match for recovery, the outlet said.

Instead, Al Jazeera said the team had to leave for Mexico within hours of the final whistle. The quick turnaround followed a match in which Iran held Belgium scoreless, giving supporters in Tehran a reason to keep believing in a possible advance.

For fans watching from Iran’s capital, the goalless result was enough to sustain the campaign. Al Jazeera framed the draw as critical because Iran’s route to the second round remained open after the Los Angeles match.

The report did not give further details on the size of the Tehran gatherings or the team’s next fixture. It said the immediate consequence was clear: Iran avoided defeat against Belgium and stayed alive in its push for a first appearance in the World Cup’s second round.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.