Five iconic moments from the group stage

On the pitch, the 2022 World Cup has already provided a plethora of entertainment for the average spectator. Clashes with Saudi Arabia and Japan as well as thrilling encounters involving the likes of Cameroon, Serbia, South Korea and Ghana gave us exciting games in the absence of club football. However, among this glut of spectacle, there were a number of emotional moments. We all know that football is more than just a game. Therefore, in this article, we will select five of the most emotional moments from the group stages of the 2022 World Cup.

Covering German players' mouths ahead of Japan clash

As Germany's World Cup opener against Japan approached, all the talk was not about the clash itself, but about the feud over FIFA's threats regarding the "One Love" armband. The captains of seven nations, including Germany's Manuel Neuer, were to wear the armband which promotes diversity and inclusion during their World Cup matches. However, FIFA has threatened these countries with sanctions if they go ahead with the armbands. The penalties may have included disciplinary action and were "unlimited" according to Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham.

Because of these warnings, players have chosen not to wear the armband. Instead, the German national team chose to cover their mouths with their hands in their team photo before kick-off against Japan as a method of protest. This gesture showed that the German players "would not be silenced".

In the match itself, Japan lost the clash 2-1, but that was not the end of the debacle. During Germany's next game against Spain, Qatar fans inside the stadium displayed pictures of Mesut Ozil. The significance of this is that current Istanbul midfielder Basaksehir left the German national team in 2018 because of 'racism' and 'disrespect'. Qatar fans were lashing out at Germany over these allegations which showed them to be hypocrites due to their aforementioned protest.

Now the volcano that surrounds this row seems to have fallen asleep. Still, there's no denying that we expected controversy fiascos like this at the 2022 World Cup.

Neco Williams gets emotional and soldiers in Welsh opener amid grandfather's death

If the first-ever rendition of the Welsh national anthem "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" at a World Cup didn't win the hearts of football fans around the world, Neco Williams' tears after the game his country's opener in Qatar against the United States certainly did. In the draw, the Nottingham Forest full-back was substituted with just over ten to play, moments before Gareth Bale flattened an emphatic equalizer from the spot.

Twenty-four hours before the standoff began, Williams received "the hardest news [he] has ever had to face." This came in the form of the passing of his grandfather who had been all over the world to watch Williams play. This news was extremely hard to accept for the young Williams, who admitted to crying all day of the game.

Nevertheless, the defender admirably stayed on course for the kick-off and the game itself, putting in a respectable performance. Naturally, however, Williams burst into tears full time in an emotional scene.

The fact that the Welshman played 79 minutes in his country's first World Cup game in 64 years just hours after learning of the death of someone so close is to be commended. This resilience is a quality that footballers around the world continually show throughout their careers, and it is something to draw attention to. In most professions, few continue to work after traumatic family proceedings, but some footballers do so because of their love and passion for their work. It is something to be noticed and praised.

Iranian players remain silent during the opening national anthem before reluctantly singing it in the following two matches

In their opening game of the World Cup, Iran faced England at the Khalifa International Stadium. As is the case in any international match, the anthems of both nations were sung before kick-off. In this one, however, the Iranian players remained silent. This refusal to sing from the Iranian players was a show of support for anti-government protests in their home country. Said protests denounce the regime for their views on things like the compulsory wearing of the hijab for women.

After this game, it was said by The Guardian that Iranian players could face "retaliation" from the state for not singing the national anthem. Consequently, in their next game against Wales, Sorude Melliye Jomhuriye Eslâmiye Irân was sung, albeit reluctantly, by both the pla...