Cultural reporting on Iran — music, film, literature and art, sport, diaspora life, and the censorship that shapes all of it — collected from independent English-language outlets.
(Photo credit: Jessie Alcheh-Imagn Images) Iran are still searching for their first win at this World Cup, and yet Team Melli manager Amir Ghalenoei already believes his players will go down as national heroes. That was his verdict after Sunday's 0-0 draw with favored Belgium, which marked the first time in Iran's World Cup history they played consecutive matches without defeat.
Inglewood [US], June 22 (ANI): The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already matched the combined red card tally of the 2018 and 2022 editions, with the total number of dismissals reaching eight, according to Fox Sports. The latest addition came during Belgium's Group G clash against Iran on Sunday, when Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card in the 66th minute for bringing down Iran forward Mehdi Taremi.
Inglewood [US], June 22 (ANI): A disciplined and resilient Iranian side produced a strong defensive performance to hold Belgium to a 0-0 draw in their second Group G match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday (local time), in a contest that also saw Belgium reduced to 10 men following a red card to Nathan Ngoy.
LOS ANGELES, 22nd June, 2026 (WAM) --Belgium and Iran played out a goalless draw in their Group G match at the FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles. Both goalkeepers made important saves during the match, while Iran had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half. Belgium were reduced to 10 players after Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the 66th minute, but Iran were unable to take advantage.
(Photo credit: Jessie Alcheh-Imagn Images) Iran used seven saves from Alireza Beiranvand and a man advantage from a Belgium red card to pull out a 0-0 draw in the second consecutive tie for both teams in World Cup Group G play Sunday afternoon in Inglewood, Calif. Beiranvand, 33, earned his second clean sheet in his seventh appearance across three World Cups.
Los Angeles [California], June 21 (ANI): Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised the increasingly difficult travel and preparation conditions faced by his team ahead of their World Cup clash against Belgium, questioning the inconsistency in how US authorities are handling their movement schedule.
Vancouver [Canada], June 21 (ANI): Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has dismissed speculation of unrest involving star forward Mohamed Salah, emphasising that all 26 players in the squad are equally important and that he treats everyone professionally without favouritism. He praised Salah's discipline, leadership, and positive influence on his teammates, describing him as a role model within the squad.
Los Angeles [US], June 21 (ANI): Belgium have suffered a major setback ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G encounter against Iran, with star winger Jeremy Doku ruled out after a recurring respiratory infection flared up during the team's stay in Los Angeles.
Where is the outrage over US-Israeli destruction of historic sites? In early 2001, the Taliban blew up two giant Buddha statues in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan , which dated from the sixth century . The world erupted in outrage at the destruction of cultural heritage , and western media engaged in handwringing over the loss of statues that most people presumably had not known existed in the first place but were nonetheless symbolic of our "collective humanity".
Israel and the US are erasing Iran and Lebanon's ancient heritage Submitted by Belen Fernandez on Sun, 06/21/2026 - 09:00 The Taliban's 2001 bombing of the Bamiyan Buddhas was condemned worldwide, but the US and Israel's destruction of Tyre's ruins and other ancient sites barely registers Debris covers ancient stone pillar bases near the archaeological site of the Roman Baths in Tyre, south Lebanon, a day after Israeli air strikes on the city, on 8 June 2026 (AFP/Kawnat Haju) Off In early 2001, the Taliban blew up two giant Buddha statues in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan , which dated from the sixth century . The world erupted in outrage at the destruction of cultural heritage , and western media engaged in handwringing over the loss of statues that most people presumably had not known existed in the first place but were nonetheless symbolic of our "collective humanity". Philip T Reeker, deputy spokesman for the State Department of the United States , issued a press statement declaring the US to be "distressed and baffled" by the Taliban's decision to demolish the Buddhas and other ancient artefacts: "Deliberate destruction of statues and sculpture held as sacred by peoples of different faiths is incomprehensible.
Iran coach criticises World Cup travel restrictions before Belgium match Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised what he described as increasingly difficult preparation conditions ahead of his team's World Cup match against Belgium, saying that "conditions have become even harder" than they were before Iran's opening game against New Zealand. Iran have been based in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament and have travelled into the United States for their Group G matches due to restrictions on their stay. Ghalenoei said the latest travel arrangements left his squad with less than 16 hours to prepare and reduced training time by half.
I cooked for London’s top Palestinian chef Submitted by Mohamed Hashem on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 15:45 "What are you doing without an apron in my kitchen? " Fadi Kattan joins Mohamed Hashem on Real Talk. The renowned Palestinian chef and author hails from one of Bethlehem's oldest Christian families, and today he's one of the most prominent voices on Palestinian cuisine.
Iran football federation to lodge complaint to Fifa over World Cup travel hurdles Iran ’s national football team will file a formal complaint with Fifa over travel restrictions imposed during the World Cup , the country's football federation announced on Thursday. “Despite submitting our tournament preparation schedule well in advance, the national team has once again encountered restrictions from the organisers, disrupting the technical staff’s plans,” a federation spokesperson said, according to AFP. The statement came after the team was forced to fly to Los Angeles just one day before their opening match against New Zealand and return to their base camp in Mexico immediately afterwards, despite having requested to arrive two days prior.
World Cup 2026: Why Sahrawis are rallying behind Algeria and not Morocco Submitted by Habibulah Mohamed Lamin on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:15 Support for Algeria is rooted in almost five decades of refuge and a shared political struggle Sahrawi children play football in the Smara refugee camp in Algeria's Tindouf province in February 2016 (Farouk Batiche/AFP) Off Dust hangs in the desert air like smoke, swirling above a football pitch carved from hardened earth. It's late afternoon, and despite the heat not easing, a group of young men and teenage boys have gathered to play their weekly football match. Each time one of the players runs to get the ball, an orange cloud rises into the air.
New posts 21:49 Iranian Artist Marjane Satrapi Honored At Paris Memorial By RFE/RL's Radio Farda Iranian-born author Marjane Satrapi, who wrote the hit graphic novel Persepolis, was laid to rest on June 19 in Paris amid tributes honoring her work. Her graphic novel was later adapted into a Cannes-winning animated film.
A member of Iran’s medical team says the team endured delays, multiple security searches and a rushed exit, frustrating players and officials.
Iran’s World Cup match with New Zealand was not just a football game but a rare glimpse into the trauma and deep divisions many Iranians carry at home and abroad.
Inglewood [US], June 16 (ANI): Iran midfielder Mohammad Mohebi has addressed the controversy surrounding his goal celebration during the team's FIFA 2026 World Cup opener against New Zealand, which many interpreted as a 'gun' gesture, according to Goal. com. Mohebi said that it was 'just a celebration' and that he wanted to say 'thank you' to all Iranians who live in Los Angeles.
World Cup 2026: Iraq's long-awaited return sparks pride at home and abroad Submitted by Azhar Al-Rubaie on Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:25 A decade after their last appearance, Iraq's national team returns to football's biggest stage, drawing support from fans at home and across the diaspora Iraq's Ali al-Hamadi dribbles the ball past Bolivia's defender Efrain Morales during their World Cup qualifier final playoff at the BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico, on 31 March 2026 (AFP/Julio Cesar Aguilar) Off For Iraqis , football is so much more than what happens on the pitch. It's one of the few arenas where people from different religious sects, ethnic backgrounds and regions come together in a country long marked by conflict and division. The sport's unifying power was on display in 2007, when Iraq won the Asian Cup amid some of the country's bloodiest years of violence.
(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Managing one distraction at the World Cup is hard enough. As Iran's 2-2 World Cup-opening draw against New Zealand showed, Team Melli have to handle two: the fallout from the armed conflict between Iran and the United States, and the adjacent division between Iranian-American fans who support or oppose the current Iranian government.
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