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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Billy Haisley

USA's forward #10 Christian Pulisic scores his team's first goal past Iran's goalkeeper #01 Alireza Beiranvand during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and USA at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 29, 2022.

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Internationals

The USMNT Is What We Thought It Was

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Ray Ratto

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Media Meltdowns

Iranian Press Corps Dominates Group-Stage Match Against USMNT

England v IR Iran: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

England Beat Iran While FIFA And Qatar Beat Everyone Else

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Luis Paez-Pumar

ST. POELTEN, AUSTRIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the International Friendly match between Iran and Uruguay at NV Arena on September 23, 2022 in St. Poelten, Austria.

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Soccer

Iran Has More Than Just Soccer On Its Mind At The World Cup

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Kazuyoshi Miura of Japan falls after the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier final round match between Iraq and Japan at the Al-Ahly Stadium on October 28, 1993 in Doha, Qatar.

Iraq v Japan – FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Final Round

What’s Changed And What Hasn’t Since I Covered Soccer In Qatar 30 Years Ago

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