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American captain's stunning answer after Iranian reporter's question

USA captain Tyler Adams (pictured) during a press conference.
USA captain Tyler Adams (pictured) has received praise after his measured response to a difficult question during his FIFA World Cup press conference ahead of the Iran match. (Getty Images)

American captain Tyler Adams has responded with a classy answer after an Iranian reporter questioned him in an intense moment during a FIFA World Cup press conference. Iran will take on USA in the final Group B clash in Qatar with the latter needing a win to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

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As if the match wasn't high stakes enough, captain Adams faced the media before the game and took the wrath of one reporter. Adams had mispronounced Iran and was quickly corrected.

"You say you support the Iranian people, but you are pronouncing our country's name wrong...Please once and for all can we get this clear," the reporter said.

Adams was then pressed on whether he was ok representing a “country that has so much discrimination against Black people in its own borders”. Adams showed poise to stop and think about the answer. And the 23-year-old responded with a measured reply.

"My apologies of the mispronunciation of your country," Adams said. “That being said, there’s discrimination everywhere you go.

“One thing that I’ve learned, especially from living abroad in the past years and having to fit in in different cultures is that in the US, we’re continuing to make progress every single day...Through education it is super important. Like you just educated me now about the pronunciation of your country. As long as you see progress, that's the important thing."

Tyler Adams praised for classy answer at World Cup

The young star's response to the question certainly caught the attention of the football world. England great Gary Lineker praised Adams for his 'graceful' answer, while others said the young man also showed respect.

The build-up to the clash against Iran has been controversial. Iranian state media called for the USA to be removed from the competition after the United States Soccer Federation changed Iran's flag on social media to show support for the protesters in Iran.

The USA displayed the Iranian flag on social media without the Islamic Republic emblem. The flag was changed for 24 hours.

In recent months, protests and violence have rocked the ruling party in Iran. The protests were sparked after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Amini allegedly died in Iranian custody after she was allegedly detained for not abiding by the state's conservative dress code.

In Qatar, England lead Group B on four points. They will play Wales knowing a draw will see them progress and win will see them top the group.

Iran sit behind England on four points and will still seek a win against the USA to guarantee them qualification. Anything but a win for the USA will see them eliminated from the Qatar World Cup.

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