INGLEWOOD, California — Iranian Americans made their way into a Los Angeles stadium Monday ahead of Iran’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup, with some carrying political symbols in opposition to the Iranian government while others urged fellow fans to set aside politics and simply support their team.
The Iranian squad had traveled to the U.S. on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, landing in Los Angeles just as a deal was announced bringing the U.S.-Iran war to an end. They are scheduled to face New Zealand in Group G at 6 p.m. local time (0100 GMT).
Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran itself, with many residents having left the country following the Islamic Revolution. Iranian American soccer fans there say they have found themselves caught between the thrill of watching their team compete on the world’s biggest stage, outrage over Tehran’s violent response to protesters, and worry over a U.S. bombing campaign against Iran.
Between 300 and 500 protesters assembled outside the stadium, holding anti-government signs and flags. Those demonstrators said they chose not to enter the venue, explaining that buying a ticket would feel like showing support for the Tehran government.
Some fans did enter the stadium but brought along symbols of dissent, including the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag. That flag features the same colors as the current official flag but displays a different lion-and-sun design rather than the current emblem.
Iranian officials have warned that matches could be stopped if unofficial flags are displayed or unauthorized chants are heard inside stadiums.
FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, has pointed to existing rules banning politically themed flags and clothing when asked about the situation, but has not specifically addressed how it plans to handle the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag. The organization did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
Reporters on the scene observed numerous fans carrying the lion-and-sun flag or wearing shirts bearing that symbol pass through security without any problem. Many then held the flags up from their seats inside the stadium.
Three fans in the stands, all wearing white shirts printed with the lion-and-sun image, said they chose to wear the shirts despite the warnings they had heard.
“This team is not the team of the people of Iran,” said one of the three, Farhad Jafargad. He and the others said they planned to root for New Zealand instead.
Meanwhile, other fans draped themselves in the official Iranian flag and said they had been confronted by protesters outside. Some expressed frustration, saying they simply wanted to focus on their team — affectionately called Team Melli — and leave politics at the door.
“I’m here to support Iran. We’re going to win this game,” said 57-year-old Mehdi Jafari, dressed in an Iran soccer jersey.
“We’re very proud of our country. We’re here to support Iran. I think we should all let go of the politics and just go in and cheer on the Team Melli,” he added.
Iran’s presence at the tournament has been surrounded by controversy from the start, set against the backdrop of a war that began in February when the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran. That conflict followed nationwide protests inside Iran in January, during which thousands of people were killed amid a brutal government crackdown.
In recent weeks, the Iranian soccer team relocated their training base from Arizona to Mexico. Their federation also complained that some staff members were denied U.S. visas and that tickets originally set aside for Iranian supporters had been taken back.
