Iran’s World Cup glow in Tehran as war and peace talks loom

In Tehran, Iran’s World Cup match against Belgium sparked exuberant crowds despite ongoing war and U.S.-Iran peace talks. A stoppage-time moment saw Mehdi Taremi’s goal ruled offside as Beiranvand produced standout saves; the team faced tight travel and visa constraints, arriving from Mexico and needing to depart U.S. venues within 24 hours. Amid the celebration, officials and fans linked sports to broader calls for peace, with Swiss negotiations producing cautious optimism about ending the conflict within 60 days, while the crowd grappled with the politicization of sport and the resilience of Team Melli.