Why Iranians are celebrating their team’s World Cup match defeat?

The Iranian national football team’s loss to the United States in the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday resulted in strange celebrations in their home country, which stand in stark contrast to the response anticipated following any national football team loss. As the country continues to abandon the football team that they view as an extension of the tyrannical regime, images of celebration on Iranian streets have been extensively circulated on social media. Iran is currently experiencing a wave of protests.

After seeing the films of burning tires and angry mobs that have recently come out of the country, Iranians can be seen in videos posted on Twitter dancing on the streets in a rare expression of happiness. However, the dancing and joyous honking was also a demonstration of disapproval as they opposed the football team’s World Cup participation during such a turbulent time.

Since September, more than 300 people, including children, have died in protests against Mahsa Amini’s killing. On September 16, Mahsa Amini was killed in detention by Iran’s notorious morality police for the “crime” of not donning her headscarf properly.

Since then, nationwide protests have erupted, calling into question the legitimacy of the government.

In their own interpretation of a protest, the Iranian football squad chose not to perform the national anthem prior to their opening match against England on November 22. Although some people viewed the uprising as daring, many Iranians continue to believe the government, not the football club, represents the Iranian people.