Iran, Saudi, other MidEast teams warm up in Qatar as World Cup approaches

Iran is looking to advance to the second round for the first time ever, but the team is mired in controversy over the protests in the country while host Qatar itself is facing criticism at home.
World Cup
Saudi Arabia's players jog during a training session at the Sealine Beach Resort in Doha on Nov. 17, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament. - KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images
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Adam Lucente
@Adam_Lucente

The 2022 World Cup will begin in the Qatari capital of Doha Sunday. It will be the first time the major soccer tournament to be played in the Middle East. 

The following is a breakdown of the men’s teams from the Middle East and North Africa that will compete in the World Cup.

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