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A woman at a protest in Qatar holds up a sign bearing the name of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Iranian woman whose death in police custody sparked a nationwide protest movement.

The U.S.-Iran World Cup matchup puts a spotlight on Iran's protest movement

4:17pm November 29, 2022

Iran's players have at times appeared to show solidarity with the protests, even as they say their focus is football. Thousands of protesters have been arrested and hundreds killed, rights groups say.

Gregg Berhalter, head coach of United States team, looks on during a training session on Monday in Doha, Qatar. The U.S. faces Iran in a crucial match on Tuesday.

What's at stake as the U.S. faces Iran at the World Cup

4:16pm November 29, 2022

by Tom Goldman

The U.S. has to beat Iran to advance, while Iran only has to tie. The match comes after controversy over flags, Iran's national anthem, and ongoing protests in Iran.

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Ghana's André Ayew celebrates after Mohammed Kudus scores the team's third goal in a 2022 World Cup Group H match against South Korea on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Photos: Highlights from the 2022 FIFA World Cup

10:25am November 29, 2022

by Maansi Srivastava

This year's World Cup has already seen some of the strongest matchups and upsets in the tournament's history.

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What fans can expect as the second week of World Cup games kicks off

10:23am November 29, 2022

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with broadcaster Roger Bennett about what fans can expect as the second week of games kicks off at the World Cup.

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Sports

News brief: China protests, Supreme Court immigration case, U.S.-Iran soccer match

6:09am November 29, 2022

China cracks down on protesters. The Supreme Court will hear arguments over how to enforce immigration laws. And, team USA and Iran battle before their World Cup match.

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A skunk is spotted in the stands during the Browns-Buccaneers game

5:40am November 29, 2022

It's not clear how the skunk got there. But when the Cleveland Browns came back from seven down in the fourth quarter to beat the Tampa Bay Bucs in overtime, fans dubbed it "the rally skunk."

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At the World Cup, there's a week left in the opening group stage

5:03am November 28, 2022

Nearly every national team has a chance to advance to the knockout round. The U.S. soccer federation displayed the Iranian flag in solidarity with protesters in Iran. Iran's government protested.

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is shown walking on the sideline during a NFL divisional playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.

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NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is escorted off a plane in Miami

1:37am November 28, 2022

by The Associated Press

Police removed NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. from an aircraft before takeoff at Miami International Airport after officials said he failed to respond to requests to buckle his seatbelt.

Two anti-riot police officers wave the Iranian flags during a street celebration after Iran defeated Wales in Qatar's World Cup, at Sadeghieh Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022.

U.S. soccer federation briefly alters Iran's flag to show solidarity with protesters

1:49pm November 27, 2022

by The Associated Press

The organization had displayed Iran's national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic to show "support for the women in Iran" ahead of the two nations' soccer match.

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What we're taking away from the first week of the FIFA World Cup

7:59am November 27, 2022

by David Folkenflik

NPR's David Folkenflik recaps the first week of the World Cup with Jeremy Schaap of ESPN, including surprising upsets and team USA's performance.