The 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament got underway in Qatar Sunday after a flashy opening ceremony in the capital city, Doha. In the opening match, Ecuador defeated Qatar’s national team 2 to 0.
This year’s World Cup has been marred by revelations that thousands of migrant workers have faced serious labor and human rights abuses as they worked to build stadiums and other infrastructure for Qatar ahead of the games.

Meanwhile, the captain of Iran’s national team has spoken out in support of Iranians protesting back home. Ehsan Hajsafi spoke to reporters in Qatar on Sunday, ahead of today’s match between Iran and England.

Ehsan Hajsafi: “We have to accept that the conditions in our country are not right, and our people are not happy. … I hope conditions change to meet the expectations of the people and that they become happy, all of them. The situation in the country is not great, and the team knows this.”