Iran's World Cup debut in Los Angeles marred by protests and political tension

Iran opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in Los Angeles with a 2‑2 draw against New Zealand. The match, played at SoFi Stadium, drew large crowds from the city’s Iranian diaspora and became a focal point for anti‑regime demonstrations. Protesters waved the pre‑revolutionary Iranian flag, despite FIFA’s ban on political symbols, and chanted slogans such as “Mullah’s team is not my team.” One protester, Sahand Vafadary, said, “The reason we want New Zealand to win is because the Iranian team … they are being used as propaganda by the regime.”

The team’s preparation was complicated by broader geopolitical strain. After the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran in February, U.S. authorities granted visas to the players only days before the tournament and required them to leave the country after each game. Iran’s training base was moved to Mexico following earlier U.S. visa denials. A framework agreement to end the month‑long conflict between the United States and Iran had been signed but not publicly disclosed. Captain Mehdi Taremi acknowledged the pressure, noting the team’s effort to unite Iranians worldwide despite the “high tension.”

The match saw both enthusiastic support for the Iranian side and vocal opposition, including jeering of the national anthem. The protests highlighted the diaspora’s divided stance toward Tehran, turning the sporting event into a highly charged political moment.