• Although Iran is not expected to get out of the first stage in the World Cup, football-loving Iranians are still focused on supporting their national team.
    Although Iran is not expected to get out of the first stage in the World Cup, football-loving Iranians are still focused on supporting their national team.
  • Some of the young workers at the restaurant watching the game at the restaurant that they work in.
    Some of the young workers at the restaurant watching the game at the restaurant that they work in.
  • Iran’s goalless draw against Nigeria led to small celebrations in the streets.
    Iran’s goalless draw against Nigeria led to small celebrations in the streets.
  • Iran’s Team Melli is the only Middle Eastern team in the games.
    Iran’s Team Melli is the only Middle Eastern team in the games.
  • Just two days before the beginning of the tournament in Brazil, police in the capital banned all cafes and restaurants from screening the games live.
    Just two days before the beginning of the tournament in Brazil, police in the capital banned all cafes and restaurants from screening the games live.
  • But some coffee shops planned to ignore the guidelines and screen the games.
    But some coffee shops planned to ignore the guidelines and screen the games.
  • Some have announced schedules for the month-long tournament by sending SMS to fans.
    Some have announced schedules for the month-long tournament by sending SMS to fans.
  • Other cafes decorated their interiors in support of their favorite team.
    Other cafes decorated their interiors in support of their favorite team.
  • Young Iranians having dinner as they watched the 2014 World Cup match between Iran and Nigeria at a restaurant in north of Tehran.
    Young Iranians having dinner as they watched the 2014 World Cup match between Iran and Nigeria at a restaurant in north of Tehran.
  • Tehran’s Union of Cafe Owners has warned that restaurants risk losing their licenses if problems arise in their cafes while they are showing the games.
    Tehran’s Union of Cafe Owners has warned that restaurants risk losing their licenses if problems arise in their cafes while they are showing the games.
  • Some cafe owners have reportedly been sent texts saying they have to close by midnight.
    Some cafe owners have reportedly been sent texts saying they have to close by midnight.

World

In pictures: Iran’s World Cup fans gather despite ban

Rob Gurdebeke

June 17, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Tehran has banned all cafes and restaurants from screening the World Cup games live, but that didn’t stop Iranians from gathering to watch the country’s first match against Nigeria on Monday. Photos by Yalda Moaiery for The National

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