Iranian children play football at the Maraghchian Football Academy in Tehran on May 8, 2026. Iran's national team, also known as TeamMelli, open their 2026 World Cup campaign, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before lining up against Belgium and Egypt in Group G. Iran has been at war with the United States and Israel since February 28, though a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8. Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations since 1980 following the hostage crisis at the US embassy, which came after the Islamic revolution that toppled the US-backed shah. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)