Protests broke out in Los Angeles after a court upheld FIFA’s ban on displaying Iran’s pre-revolutionary «Lion and Sun» flag at 2026 World Cup matches, a symbol widely used by opponents of the Islamic Republic.
The ruling came ahead of Iran’s opening Group G match against New Zealand, where hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the stadium and some fans attempted to bring the banned flag into the venue. The flag has become a prominent symbol of anti-government sentiment among many Iranians living abroad.
The controversy added to an already tense atmosphere surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament. Some Iranian-American groups have called on FIFA to expel Iran from the World Cup, arguing that the national team is closely linked to the country’s ruling authorities.
Despite the political tensions, Iran’s opening match ended in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in front of more than 70,000 spectators in Los Angeles. Outside the stadium, protests continued as supporters and critics of the Iranian government clashed over the role of politics in sport.
