Iran draws 2-2 with New Zealand as anthem protests mark World Cup opener

Iran and New Zealand kicked off their World Cup campaigns in Group G with a 2-2 draw on Monday at SoFi Stadium. The result leaves both teams with one point, but the evening was defined as much by politics as by football.

Anthem protest

Before kickoff, thousands of Iranian diaspora fans in the crowd whistled and jeered during the playing of Iran's national anthem. On the pitch, the players sang along, a departure from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when the squad remained silent before their opener against England in a gesture of solidarity with domestic anti-government protests. Outside the stadium, activists distributed T-shirts bearing the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag and the faces of protesters killed during the January 8-9 demonstrations. Some chanted "Javid Shah" (long live the Shah) and held signs reading "No deal" aimed at the Tehran government.

Inside the stadium

Stewards largely allowed the old regime flags into the stands, asking fans not to hang them on railings but backing off when the banners reappeared moments later. Alongside the Iranian contingent, the crowd included a noisy contingent of Mexican supporters and a smaller number of Americans, creating a carnival atmosphere even as the political tensions simmered. Before the match, giant flags of both nations were unfurled on the pitch, while supporters in the stands waved the lion-and-sun standard and sung chants recalling the monarchy.

The match

New Zealand struck first through Elijah Just, who scored twice to put his side ahead on both occasions. Captain Chris Wood provided the assists for both goals. Iran responded each time: Ramin Rezaeian netted the first equalizer, then set up Mohammad Mohebi for the 64th-minute goal that made it 2-2. The draw flattered neither side but proved New Zealand can compete against a higher-ranked opponent.

After the final whistle

When the match ended, many Iranian fans rose to applaud the team, choosing to separate the sporting contest from the political dissent that had punctuated the pre-match ceremony. One supporter told reporters that it is possible to oppose the government and still enjoy a football match, "but some people don't understand that." The mixed reactions inside the stadium mirrored the deep divisions among the Iranian diaspora.

Broader context

The protests echoed the political undercurrents that have followed Iran's national team in recent years. At the 2022 World Cup, the players' refusal to sing the anthem before facing England was widely interpreted as support for the anti-government movement. This time, the team sang, but the crowd's dissent was louder, turning an international sporting event into a platform for political expression.