2022 FIFA World Cup Group B
The group consisted of national association football teams from England, Iran, the United States and Wales.
[17][18][19] A spokesperson for Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, also criticised FIFA for introducing player punishment for the armbands.
[25] After the match, the Football Association of Wales confronted FIFA about the confiscation of the bucket hats, and FIFA entered talks with the Qatari Supreme Committee to discuss Qatar's commitment to make all fans welcome at the World Cup, also citing an incident of an American fan with a rainbow flag being harassed.
[29] Many England supporters missed the start of the match due to problems with FIFA's ticketing app.
[30] In defiance of their government, the Iranian team refused to sing their national anthem ahead of the match, a sign of support for the Mahsa Amini protests in their own country.
[33] Beiranvand initially seemed to be convinced to continue playing by Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi despite appearing to be dazed and taking his gloves and shirt off after he received treatment, drawing criticism from the brain injury charity Headway.
[39] The Iranian media blamed the "humiliating" loss on the protests in their country affecting their players' mindset, additionally claiming that the United States and its allies, including the United Kingdom, had manufactured the protests to disrupt Iran; though these nations comprise all of Iran's group stage competition, the line of blame is common due to longstanding political tensions.
After over nine minutes of stoppage time,[49] the match finished 1–1, with the United States picking up four yellow cards, the most they had received in a World Cup game since their 2002 quarter-final against Germany.
[52] In the 86th minute, Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was originally given a yellow card for a foul he committed outside his penalty area.
[58][59] Despite avoiding defeat, many England fans booed the team after the match ended, expressing criticism of a perceived lacking performance.
This was their second meeting in a major tournament, the first being the group stage of UEFA Euro 2016, which ended in a 2–1 win for England.
[62] Marcus Rashford had the best chance of the opening period, but his chipped shot was saved by Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward.
Following a goalless first half, Rashford scored a direct free kick in the 51st minute to give England the lead.
Rashford got his second of the game in the 68th minute, with a shot from deep inside the Welsh penalty area that went through the goalkeeper's legs.
[66] Prior to the match, the United States Soccer Federation displayed the flag of Iran on social media without the emblem of the country.
The removal of the emblem showed support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights, according to the Federation.
[70] Both teams were guaranteed qualification to the round of 16 with a win, whilst Iran would qualify with a draw, provided Wales did not defeat England.
