Despite numerous obstacles off the field, the Iranian team's unity remained unshaken.

Written by Han Bing Thanks to goalkeeper Beiranvand's exceptional performance, a travel-weary and fatigued Iranian team held Belgium, ranked 9th in the world pre-match, to a 0-0 draw. With two group-stage draws, they remain unbeaten and still in contention for advancement. Yet the unfair treatment in their preparation continues. While they enjoyed plenty of fan support inside the stadium, challenges off the pitch remain daunting.

In the match against Belgium, Iran deployed a conservative formation with two defensive midfielders and five defenders. Given that the team's travel fatigue far exceeded that of their opponents, it was understandable that they had only 16 hours to prepare at the match venue before the game. The average age of Iran's starting eleven was 32 years and 181 days, the oldest starting lineup ever recorded since World Cup statistics began in 1966. Goalkeeper Beiranvand made saves against shots from Tielemans, De Bruyne, De Keper, and others, earning him the Man of the Match award with seven saves. Belgium had 23 shots without scoring, the most shots in a World Cup match without a goal since 1994 against Saudi Arabia (28 shots).

After the 0-0 draw with Belgium, Iran set two World Cup records in team history: their first two consecutive unbeaten matches in the group stage and their first time earning points in back-to-back matches. The only disappointment came in the 25th minute when a cleverly designed free kick goal was disallowed due to Taremi being offside. In the 66th minute, Belgian defender N'Goyi fouled Taremi and received a red card. Iran played with a man advantage for over half an hour, but due to having used all substitution slots, they lacked sufficient attacking force to score a goal.

Although they did not secure a win, Iran's resilience earned them more support from fans and football legends. French legend Thierry Henry praised Iran's well-organized defense, clear strategic goals, and team unity, which allowed them to secure a precious point against a strong Belgian side. Henry emphasized that the draw represented not just one point but also showcased Iran's belief, tenacity, and confidence in participating in the World Cup.

This World Cup, Iran broke with tradition by taking a team photo of all 26 players before the tournament, sending a message of unity to the outside world. Star player Azmoun, previously expelled from the national team, also posted a supportive message on social media. Although he cannot participate in the World Cup, signs indicate he will return to the national team after the tournament.

At the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for the second match against Belgium, besides local Iranian immigrants, many Mexican fans also supported Iran. An increasing number of local Iranian immigrants have come to accept that the Iranian team primarily represents the nation, its culture, and its people, offering greater support. The match almost felt like a home game for Iran, and after the game, the entire team thanked the audience, establishing a new tradition of gratitude.

Despite winning support from Iranian immigrants and fans of other nationalities inside the stadium, Iran's preparation difficulties remain unchanged. The U.S. continues to maintain its visa policy toward Iran, meaning Iran still had to fly from Los Angeles back to Tijuana the night after the Belgium match. Whether Iran will be allowed to enter the U.S. two days before their third match against Egypt is still under assessment by U.S. authorities. In a pre-match press conference, Iran's coach Ghalenoei stated that the team had been notified of permission to enter the U.S. two days early for the third match, but it remains uncertain whether this will ultimately be granted.

Iran's team doctor Araújo criticized the U.S. for creating difficulties in Iran's preparation. After the match, the team had to leave the stadium immediately but then waited two to three hours at the airport for check-in and security. Originally, Iranian players could have taken 12-minute ice baths to relieve fatigue, but instead they could only endure one minute in ice water before boarding the bus to the airport. The distance between the match venue and Tijuana is only 204 kilometers, with a flight time of just 27 minutes, yet the return trip took a total of five hours, arriving in Tijuana at 2 a.m. local time. Even in Tijuana, aside from the training ground, the team was confined to their hotel and unable to go out for relaxation like other teams.

Iran's Football Federation Secretary General Mombini plans to file a complaint with FIFA, protesting the unfair treatment Iran has received. He also pointed out that Iran's request to enter the U.S. two days before the match had been denied. Although they were allowed to enter one day early, the U.S. still rejected Iran's reasonable request for a training session at the same time as their second match. Meanwhile, their opponent Belgium faced no restrictions, arriving two days early in the match city and conducting pre-match training normally. The double standard in treatment between the two teams is clear.

Nonetheless, Iran showed the world their resilience. After the match, the team left a note in the locker room: "From ancient Persia, with thousands of years of history, to today's civilized Iran, the Iranian spirit remains vibrant and strong. We came to Los Angeles with pride, for honor, and we leave with pride. Los Angeles, thank you for your warm hospitality. And thank you to all Iranians who supported us wholeheartedly with their voices and actions during these 180 minutes. May peace, respect, and friendship endure among all nations."

FIFA President Infantino, as is customary, posted a photo of Beiranvand's match performance on social media to show encouragement. However, like his surprise visit to Iran's locker room after the first match against New Zealand, these personal gestures of verbal support do little to improve Iran's actual situation.