In a World Cup co-hosted by a country waging war on their homeland, the odds were always stacked against Iran’s Team Melli, who narrowly missed out on the knockout stage despite being undefeated. Their…

Their final appearance illuminated the complex and sometimes contradictory impulses of sport and politics and national identity

After two late goals in another game sealed Iran’s fate, Team Melli was left to rue one of the most brutal exits in World Cup history.