World Cup: US Coach Apologizes After US Soccer Removes Emblem from Iranian Flag

The US national soccer team's coach, Gregg Berhalter, apologized on Monday for the controversy sparked by the US Soccer Federation's removal of the emblem from the Iranian flag on social media.

The federation had posted a graphic of the World Cup Group B standings with the Iranian flag missing its emblem, in a gesture of solidarity with Iranian women protesters.

The post was later removed after the Iranian soccer federation protested to FIFA and demanded action against the US team.

Berhalter attempted to ease tensions ahead of the crucial group stage match between Iran and the US, saying, 'Sometimes there are things out of our control.'

'We're not focused on those things, and all we can do is apologize on behalf of the players and staff, but that's not something that we have any control over,' he added.

The US and Iran have been ideological enemies for over 40 years, having severed diplomatic ties after the 1979 Revolution.

Berhalter emphasized that the tumultuous history between the two nations would not affect his team's preparations.

Meanwhile, Iranian coach Carlos Queiroz deflected questions about politics, dismissing the idea that Iran could use the flag controversy as motivation.