My name is El Servio and I'm calling from Houston, Texas.

Yes, FIFA is a corrupt organization and I wish there was a way for all countries and

teams around the world to get out of FIFA.

Secondly, issuing Qatar, the World Cup was also a corrupt process.

But the important thing is that football is a wonderful sport and nothing can kill its

magic.

This is the Iranian National Anthem.

When the anthem played out ahead of Iran's first game against England on Monday, the Iranian

players, every member of the team, looked on tight-linked.

It was a remarkable act of defiance.

Our months and Iranians have taken to the streets and demonstrations sparked by the death

of a young woman who died in the custody of the country's morality police.

The consequences for the players could still be severe.

But FIFA expects to draw a global TV audience of close to 5 billion people, so as protests

go, there's no bigger public stage than the World Cup.

And whether the World Cup amazes or appalls you, there's a lot already to talk about.

But Iran, we talked to the host of NPR's new bilingual sports podcast, The Last Cup.

It follows the career of Lionel Messi.

I'm Jen White.

You're listening to the 1A podcast where we get to the heart of the story.

Say with us, we have a lot more coming up.

We're talking all things World Cup and who better to get us underway than NPR's Tom

...