Political tensions continue to take an iron grip over the 2026 World Cup, with the reaction to Iran’s national anthem being played ahead of their second group stage match vs Belgium prompting a big reaction at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Sunday night.

Team Melli had previously faced New Zealand in a 2-2 draw at the same stadium last week. They were able to brush tension aside briefly to allow themselves a chance of making it to the Round of 32 across the pond, despite several visa issues and sub-plots getting in the way of their focus.

A win over Belgium, who are above Germany and in ninth in the FIFA World Rankings, is unlikely. But should they pull off a miracle, they’d head into a final group match vs Egypt with everything on the line.

How Crowd Reacted To Iran National Anthem Before Belgium Match

Gary Vasquez via Reuters

Just like last week, boos could be heard ringing around the venue once again. Although it remains uncertain who is responsible for the strong reaction, American neutrals will have no doubt played some role, given the context of the ongoing conflict between the two countries in the Middle East that dominated headlines heading into this summer. Watch the national anthem being played below:

It is also believed that, again, Iran have broken an enforced FIFA rule change as they brought their pre-revolutionary flags into the home of the LA Chargers, despite Gianni Infantino deciding they should be banned from doing so to avoid unwanted provocation.

Iran Boss Claims He’s Been Shunned By World Cup Rivals

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has claimed he has been shunned by the other 47 managers at the World Cup and said his squad had suffered further disruption after Fifa’s attempts to fix their latest travel chaos failed. They flew into Los Angeles on Saturday lunchtime local time before their second Group G game against Belgium.

Ghalenoei – who said Iran felt “robbed” over their treatment by World Cup organisers – claimed, as per Yahoo Sports, that none of his managerial counterparts at the tournament have responded to his questions. “We have many challenges, especially off the pitch,” the Iran coach said. “I asked the 47 other coaches a question and none of them have responded to me.”

Asked if felt the support of the other nations, Ghalenoei added: “No, I have not seen [that]. I have not had any reaction from any one. But it seems like the honourable coach of Belgium [Rudi Garcia] said [in his press conference] we are here for football and not politics.

“Our grievances are to do with the way they [World Cup organisers] have behaved towards us. I’ve not heard from other coaches, they are busy with their own teams, and we did not receive anything. I would have done [it].”

It’s only natural that a nation with such a strong link to football would have produced so many great players. For all that quality, however, England have only ever had one World Cup-winning side.

Perhaps a key issue is that, for all the talent the country has seen, not enough of those special players have been able to translate club form into performances with the Three Lions. The Golden Generation, for example, had Premier League legends such as Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, but the trio failed to gel on a regular basis when lining up together for England.

In the modern era, star names like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are examples of massively talented players who haven’t even made it into Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Before all those names, though, there was Glenn Hoddle. One of the finest midfielders the country has ever produced, and yet he believes he barely ever got the chance to play in his best position.

Glenn Hoddle: ‘I Would Been Treated Better if Was Dutch, French or Spanish’

Hoddle managed 53 caps for England, scoring eight times. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, he revealed how he was held back due to his reputation as a ‘luxury player’ in an era defined by intense physicality and long-ball football.

Hoddle recalled: “I had a strong belief in my ability. I had a lot of stubbornness. I was very shy but, when it came to football, I had to do what was natural. If people didn’t understand me, so be it.

Perhaps if Hoddle has been played in the number 10 position more often, England could have achieved more. After all, in his one and only match in that role, he scored and created two other goals against Hungary in 1983.

Hoddle Felt ‘Suffocated’ by England’s Rigid 4-4-2 System

Hoddle would play at two World Cups, with a quarter-final defeat to Argentina in 1986 the furthest he made it with the Three Lions. In his autobiography, ‘Playmaker’, the former England player and manager explained his frustration as he was forced to play a midfield role in a 4-4-2 set-up, which had no space for him to operate as a number 10.

He claimed he felt “suffocated” playing for England, noting “we were painfully small-minded and it took us an eternity to change”. Speaking to the Guardian, he added:

He felt that he played in the wrong era, or at least for the wrong country, adding: “People used to say: ‘You should have got more than 53 caps,’ and my answer was always pretty bland and steadfast: ‘I’m proud of the 53 I got.’

“But, deep down, I knew I was a continental player. You either give in, and go against your instincts, or you fight it.”

Everton are putting plans in place for another important summer transfer window, with some hope that the team could push for a return to Europe in the near future.

The Toffees have survived their days of Premier League relegation concerns, with the previous campaign seeing the side push for a place in continental competition once again.

Despite coming close on a few occasions, they ultimately missed out, as frustrations grew over the inconsistency that was present during key moments of the season.

This summer comes with the aim of strengthening the Everton squad with a mixture of quality for the short-term and promising players for the long-term.

Looking towards those with instant quality, Moyes is now pushing for the club to make a bid for a former player of his.

Everton Eye Jarrod Bowen Bid

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Everton boss Moyes is pushing to sign Jarrod Bowen this summer, which would see him reunite with the forward after their time together at West Ham.

It’s claimed that the head coach is pushing for the hierarchy to make a bid for the 29-year-old, with a £20 million offer being plotted for the winger.

Bowen is believed to be the first-choice option for Moyes, with interest sparked in Iliman Ndiaye this summer from rival clubs in the Premier League.

The England international may be available following West Ham’s relegation from the top tier, with the club needing to raise money via sales over the course of the summer transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether that £20 million offer would be enough to tempt the Hammers to part ways with their captain, who has another four years left on his current deal.

However, it could setup a reunion with Moyes for a player he knows how to get the most out of.

Moyes And Bowen Record

It’s clear to see why Moyes would be keen to bring Bowen to Merseyside, having already worked extensively with the star to make him the player he is today.

The forward played 202 times under the head coach, scoring 60 goals and assisting 41 times, popping up with a goal involvement every other game.

None will perhaps be as important as the Conference-League-winning goal that was scored by Bowen, helping to seal him and the manager in immortality at West Ham.

Moyes has described Bowen as a “special player” in the past, and for good reason too. Whether that would work out for him at Everton is unclear, though.

There may be concerns over the age profile and the potential cost to land someone who is entering the latter end of their peak years in football.

However, the trade-off for instant quality may be a risk Moyes is willing to take.