QOTD

In this World Cup you see a meaningful correlation between politics and diplomacy and football...Those who played a key role in new sanctions against Iran such as America, England and France were eliminated in the early stages and some countries that were involved in sanctions in any way did not get into higher rounds...

--- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki

If it was just America, I would say they were eliminated because they are just not a very good team. Once he added England and France, perhaps he is on to something. Perhaps it was divine retribution for the sanctions against Iran that they supported...

Or maybe not.