SEATTLE, June 26 -- On Friday morning, Hossam Hassan said something no other coach at this World Cup had bothered to say. Egypt's manager told reporters that all teams at the tournament deserve equal treatment, that every participating nation has the right to be here, that FIFA's founding promise is one of respect and fair play. The answer was crafted to sound unremarkable. In the context of the 2026 World Cup, it was the most direct acknowledgement of Iran's situation that has come from any opposing dugout.

The team Hassan was defending plays tonight at Lumen Field in the decisive match of Group G.

Iran arrives in Seattle with two draws from two matches: a 2-2 comeback against New Zealand in Los Angeles and a goalless stalemate with Be...