SEATTLE, USA – We had a goal. There was joy and heartbreak. There were loud crowds, confrontations, and camaraderie. There were protests, politics, and Palestinian flags. There was a penalty mistake. There was joy. There was a disappointment.
It all ended on Friday with Egypt drawing 1-1 with Iran at the FIFA World Cup in Seattle. Iran will be vying for a spot in the top eight, depending on Saturday’s result.
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After the match, Egyptian fans erupted in wild celebrations outside the stadium as Egypt made it past the group stage of the World Cup for the first time.
“It feels great,” Daniel Salib, who carried the Egyptian flag, told Al Jazeera.
“After this game and the game against New Zealand and the game against Belgium, we absolutely deserve that recognition. So I couldn’t be more proud of this country and this team.”
Egypt survived Iran’s onslaught in the closing stages, and Team Melli, known as the Iranian team, hit the wooden frame and the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.
Iran also saved a penalty in the first half, but the entire match was action-packed and a back-and-forth affair.
Iran supporter Saeed Nassef said he was disappointed with Friday’s result but was hopeful Iran could advance to the last 32, depending on the outcome of Sunday night’s match.
“The Iranian team did a great job. They faced a lot of difficulties, but I’m really happy with their play,” Nassef told Al Jazeera.
protests
Protesters against the Iranian government gathered outside the stadium, waving American and Israeli flags and holding up pictures of Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi.
Nassef, who carried an official Iranian flag emblazoned with the name of God, was one of several fans who told Al Jazeera they were facing harassment from opposition activists.
“We’re here to support the team. We’re here to support the sport… It’s not cool for people to come here and say bad things when we’re here to support the players. We want happiness,” he said.
After the match, Al Jazeera witnessed clashes between anti-government activists and supporters holding Iranian flags.
Protesters hurled insults at the fan, calling him a “terrorist” and saying he should leave the country. They also sang Islamophobic chants filled with expletives.
The fan, who gave his name only as Milad, approached a man who was leading a chant with a megaphone and criticizing Team Melli fans. He stood inches away from the protesters until police intervened and separated them.
“My issue is not political. My issue is that the players, they play for the country, they play for the people. I support the people. That’s it,” Milad said.
“For better or worse, it doesn’t matter. Our people went and tried to create joy for other people, and that’s what matters,” he added.
But the commotion did little to overshadow nearby festivals where Egyptians gathered to sing and dance to commemorate historical moments in their homeland.
electric atmosphere
There was an excited atmosphere inside the stadium throughout the match, there were no empty seats and there was never a quiet moment.
After the first half ended, several groups of Iranian and Egyptian fans began taking pictures together.
The players also supported each other. After the final whistle, several Egyptian players consoled the Iranian players, who were clearly upset by the result.
Throughout the 90 minutes, the audience appeared to alternate between chanting “Iran, Iran” and “Misr, Misr,” the Arabic word for Egypt, rather than chanting at each other.
Among the crowd were some pre-Islamic Iranian flags with majestic lions and suns, but they outnumbered the country’s official flag.
As the match was designated as the World Cup’s “Pride Match,” some people waved LGBTQ+ pride flags and rainbow merchandise. However, despite all the fuss over the issue, there didn’t seem to be any problems at the stadium.
Supporters of Egypt boasted of their ancient heritage with pharaonic headdresses and costumes.
“We are very proud to be Egyptian and very proud of our national team,” said Karim Elshabini, wearing a gold and black pharaoh’s headgear and a red Egyptian soccer top.
“It’s a great feeling. Everyone is in great spirits. People are really cool. Egyptian fans, Iranian fans, we’re all having a great time.”
A number of Palestinian flags were displayed at the match, including one displayed prominently behind the goal.
Bilal Ali, an Egyptian fan who brought a Palestinian flag to the stadium, told Al Jazeera that he did not want politics to be involved in football, but could not remain silent as Israeli atrocities continued in Gaza and elsewhere.
“Sometimes I feel guilty when I go to the games and see Palestinians being bombed and killed,” Ali added.
Several Egyptian and Iranian fans shouted “Liberate Palestine” as they passed Ali holding flags.
“Minab 168”
There was more to this match than just football.
Hameed, an Iranian fan who asked to be identified only by his first name, was wearing a shirt that read Minab 168.
The message aims to commemorate the victims of a school in southern Iran that was bombed on the first day of the US-Israel war against Iran.
“I just want to remind the world that we must not forget the plight of children who have been bombed, whether intentionally or not,” Hameed told Al Jazeera.
“That’s why we shouldn’t go to war.”
He added that a credible investigation must be conducted into the incident.
“Politics aside, humanity has to survive and the only way to do that is to protect our children, whether they are blown up in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Sudan or Congo,” Hamed said.
Political statements, flags and protests aside, the final whistle marked Egypt’s moment in sporting history.
Rafael Youssef, who had the colors of the Egyptian flag painted on his cheeks, said, “It’s a surreal feeling to see people supporting their country for so many years, going through ups and downs, and finally seeing them give their all and get a good result.”
“I’m so happy for them, so happy to be here with them.”
