United States of America captain Tyler Adams has gone viral following his classy response to an Iranian journalist who called him out during a press conference on Monday.
The USA and Iran meet in a crucial Group B encounter on Tuesday evening in the knowledge that a win for either will advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Iran could even qualify with just a draw if Wales fail to beat England in the group's other match.
Tensions have been high between the two nations in the build-up to the crunch fixture, with Iran even reportedly filing an official complaint with FIFA requesting that the US be kicked out of the tournament.
READ MORE: World Cup: Why are Iran calling for USA to be kicked out of Qatar 2022?
Ahead of the game at Al Thumama Stadium, Leeds United midfielder Adams was called out by an Iranian journalist.
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 24: Tyler Adams of United States reacts during the USA Press Conference at the Main Media Center on November 24, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images )
The reporter involved first took issue with Adams' pronouncation of 'Iran', before going on to quiz the 23-year-old about his home country's record on discrimination.
"First of all, you say you support the Iranian people, but you're pronouncing our country's name wrong. Please once and for all, let's get this clear," began the journalist.
"Second of all, are you okay to be representing a country that has so much discrimination against black people in its own borders. And we saw the Black Lives Matter movement over the past few years. Are you okay to be representing the US meanwhile, there's so much discrimination happening against black people in America?"
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Faced with some pretty heavy subject matter in the second part of the journalist's question, Adams showed poise, class and maturity beyond his years in delivering his response. You can check it out here.
Video: Tyler Adams' classy response to Iranian journalist
"My apologies for 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 different cultures and kind of assimilate into different cultures is that in the US, we're continuing to make progress every single day."
Adams explained: "Growing up for me, I grew up in a white family with an obviously an African American Heritage and background as well. So I had a little bit of different cultures and I was very, very easily able to assimilate in different cultures.
MURCIA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 27: Tyler Adams of The United States looks on during the international friendly match between Saudi Arabia and United States at Estadio Nueva Condomina on September 27, 2022 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
"Not everyone has that, that ease and the ability to do that and obviously it takes longer to understand and through education, I think it's super important – like you just educated me now on the pronunciation of your country. It's a process I think, as long as you see progress, that's the most important thing."
The reporter involved seemingly had no interest in discussing Tuesday's match, despite attempts from Adams and United States boss Gregg Berhalter to steer the conversation back in that direction.
A number of players at Qatar 2022 have already made it clear that they would rather not discuss political issues and instead focus entirely on matters on the pitch.
Under the pressure of a grilling from the Iranian press, Adams deserves huge credit for his classy and considered response.
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