On November 29, 2022, Iran and USA will meet at the Qatar Fifa World Cup in their final group stage match. The game will be played against the backdrop of monthslong anti-government protests in Iran sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the ‘morality police’ for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code. The protestors have been demanding an end to Iran’s current regime and its systemic violation of human rights, particularly women’s rights.

These peaceful protests have been met with brutal government suppression. Since September 2022, Iran’s armed forces have killed hundreds of unarmed civilians, including dozens of children. Students, journalists, workers, and activists have been detained, tortured, and imprisoned. Even the families of the deceased have been harassed and prevented from mourning their loss.

The world cannot stay silent against these atrocities. That’s why we are asking players of Iran and US national teams, and soccer fans everywhere, to show solidarity with Iranian women during the highly anticipated Iran vs USA game at the world’s biggest sports event. We urge players to #Kneel4Mahsa when the Iranian regime’s anthem plays before the game. We also ask all soccer fans around the world to do the same and post pictures and videos with the #Kneel4Mahsa hashtag during the game.