Iran was eliminated from the tournament in Qatar following the loss to the U.S. on Tuesday, in a politically charged match that saw the players scrambling to score a goal in the last remaining minutes of the game.

Iran’s national soccer team received a subdued welcome home after its World Cup defeat against the United States, a match played against the backdrop of ongoing anti-government protests in Iran.

The players returned to Iran late Wednesday, a day their 1-0 loss. Anti-government protesters, considering the team a symbol of the regime, had celebrated the loss in some Iranian cities with fireworks and cheers. Iran’s treatment of the players will likely be scrutinized because they refrained from singing the country’s national anthem during their opening World Cup match. Many considered the move a show of solidarity with the protests. The team did sing the anthem in subsequent matches.

FIFA World Cup 2022: फीफा वर्ल्‍ड कप 2022 में मंगलवार को कतर (Qatar) के लुसैल स्टेडियम में ग्रुप सी के मुकाबले में अर्जेंटीना (Argentina) पर सऊदी अरब (Saudi arabia) की शानदार जीत के बाद पूरे देश में जश्‍न का माहौल है. वहां की सरकार ने लोगों की खुशियों को और बढ़ाते हुए बुधवार को देश में छुट्टी घोषित कर दी है.

फीफा वर्ल्‍ड कप 2022 (Fifa World Cup 2022) में सऊदी अरब को मिली ऐतिहासिक जीत के बाद मंगलवार से पूरे देश में हर जगह जश्‍न मनाया जा रहा है. वहां की सरकार ने लोगों की भावनाओं को देखते हुए इस संबंध में एक बड़ा ऐलान कर दिया है. स्थानीय अखबार सऊदी गजट ने ट्वीट किया, ‘किंग सलमान का आदेश है कि फीफा विश्व कप 2022 में सऊदी अरब की अर्जेंटीना के खिलाफ शानदार जीत के जश्न में बुधवार को पब्लिक और प्राइवेट सेक्टर के सभी कर्मचारियों के साथ ही स्कूलों में छुट्टी रहेगी.’

Croatia have won their last five matches and lost once in 16 months, but the 2018 runners-up, led by midfield conjuror Luka Modric, will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco with little fanfare and few predicting glory. So unfancied are Zlatko Dalic’s side, who went all the way before succumbing to France in the final four years ago, that bookmakers are offering 50-1 against them lifting the trophy this time around.