Banned flags and boos at Iran's World Cup opener as political tensions spill into Los Angeles stadium
Hundreds of fans defied a FIFA ban on the old Iranian flag featuring a lion and sun during Iran's World Cup opener against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, while boos rang out during the national anthem, reflecting deep divisions over the Tehran regime.
Tensions before kick-off
Iran's first match of the 2026 World Cup, against New Zealand in Los Angeles, was overshadowed by political protests and a court battle over a banned flag. The game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood drew a large Iranian diaspora crowd, many from the sizable community in southern California. Hours before the 18:00 local time kick-off, the Los Angeles County Superior Court upheld a FIFA prohibition on the historic flag, which had been used officially in Iran until the 1979 Islamic Revolution and now symbolises opposition movements. Judge Curtis A. Kin acknowledged that free speech is "incredibly important" and "sacred", but stressed that it is "not unlimited" in the context of a private event on private property.
Free speech is indeed incredibly important and sacred, but not unlimited.
Inside the stadium: flags, jeers and a mix of jerseys
Once inside, hundreds of fans openly displayed the banned lion-and-sun flag on scarves, shirts and actual flags. Some reported having them confiscated at the gate, only to smuggle them in tucked into socks. Elsewhere in the stands, the official flag of the Islamic Republic was waved, at times leading to heated exchanges between pro-regime and opposition supporters. The Iranian team stood with hands on hearts during the national anthem; loud boos from sections of the crowd were clearly audible. Despite warnings from the Iranian squad that it would halt or abandon the match if protest symbols appeared, FIFA officials did not intervene and the game proceeded without interruption.
Two Irans, one football team
A woman wearing opposition colours told reporters she was there to support the people of Iran. "Wir sind hier, um die Menschen des Irans zu unterstützen. If I were to say I wanted the national team to lose, I would be lying. I want them to win and for everyone to be able to celebrate together," she said. Others were less conciliatory. A sign outside the venue read: "The football team of the terrorist Islamic Republic does not represent the people of Iran." Arash, a US citizen born in Iran, described the infighting as "heartbreaking" and said politics had no place in sport.
I am American and I was born in Iran. I want to show love for my country. That two groups are fighting outside the stadium is heartbreaking. Politics has no business in sport.
US fans stay out of the fray
While Iranian factions clashed, many American supporters present chose to keep their distance. Several told 20 Minuten that the day was about football and welcoming guests. One summed up the mood succinctly: football brings people together. The overall atmosphere outside the stadium was described by a dpa reporter as peaceful, and within the stands the match itself unfolded without major incident.
