The Iran National Football Team is heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026 despite a year filled with war and widespread protests. The team, which is seen as a representative of the Iranian government, is trying to make the Iranian people happy. Mehdi Taremi, the team's striker, said: «We are here as footballers to unite everyone. Our entire effort is to make all Iranians happy.» However, some Iranians see the national team as a representative of the oppressive government and refuse to support them. Iman, a 38-year-old from Tehran, said: «People have so many problems and concerns that football is not a significant issue for them.»