In Iran, a human rights protest movement has swept the country and authorities have cracked down on demonstrators. On Monday, the men's national team appeared to show their solidarity.

Seven European national soccer teams, including England and Wales, said their team captains would not wear the armbands because they feared on-field punishment by World Cup organizers.

Ever since FIFA awarded the world's biggest sporting event to Qatar in 2010, the soccer tournament has been clouded by bribery, migrant deaths and questions about the country's human rights record.

In 92 years of soccer's biggest event, a host team had never lost its opening game. The World Cup opened Sunday with Qatar getting outplayed and embarrassed in a 2-0 loss to Ecuador.