Politics of Israel and Iran ensnare 1st World Cup in Mideast
An Iranian flag flies on the field as an Israeli fan cheers during the 2015 FIFA World Cup Germany semifinal soccer match held between Iran and Israel, Monday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Berlin. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Aug. 5 that he would not be standing for a second term as prime minister, becoming Israel’s longest-serving leader since the country became a nation after independence from the British in 1948. (AP Photo/Keystone, Michael Sohn)
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) kisses his wife Sara as he arrives for a meeting with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 12, 2015. The meeting and Netanyahu’s announcement Tuesday that he would not be running again for re-election fueled speculation about a potentially chaotic, new government. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) appears at a news conference with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 12, 2015. The meeting and Netanyahu’s announcement Tuesday that he would not be running again for re-election fueled speculation about a potentially chaotic, new government. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A Palestinian man, wearing a Palestinian scarf and holding a placard, walks past a Palestinian flag as an Israeli flag flies near the Israeli football team during its World Cup qualifying soccer match against Palestine, Monday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Ahmad Gharabli)
An Israeli fan claps during a World Cup qualifying soccer match between Iran and Israel, Monday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Tehran. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
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A supporter of Israel holds up a poster of soccer legend Pele while at a fan meeting prior to the World Cup soccer match between Iran and Spain, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2015, in Tehran. (AP Photo/Karim Sahib, Pool)
Iran’s national football team celebrates after beating Belgium during their World Cup 2015 qualifying soccer match against Belgium at the Azadi stadium in
