Iranian fans clash with regime amid World Cup opener in 2026

Iranian dissidents and supporters of the pre-revolutionary flag protested outside the stadium while fans inside cheered their team in a politically charged World Cup match.

Match billed differently than reality While official listings named the game Iran versus New Zealand, the contest felt more like Iran facing its own people in the stands. Outside the Los Angeles Stadium, Iranian protesters became the most vocal opponents of their national team, drowning out any support for the visiting side. Iranian team officials had repeatedly stated their goal was to unite people through football, yet the atmosphere outside remained deeply divided. Hundreds of Iranian flags waved in the crowd, with many bearing the Lion and Sun emblem that has become a symbol of opposition to the Tehran government. ## Protesters reject regime-linked team A few hundred demonstrators gathered outside, rejecting FIFA’s ban on the Lion and Sun flag inside stadiums and condemning what they viewed as the national team representing the Islamic Republic rather than the Iranian people. Chants like 'Mullahs' team is not my team' filled the air, followed by calls for 'Regime change in Iran.' The protesters then sang Iran’s pre-revolutionary national anthem, with one young man smiling as he translated the lyrics for onlookers. ## Inside cheers, outside jeers While anti-regime chants echoed outside, inside the stadium fans roared in support of their players. The Iran team twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zealand, drawing cheers from the crowd. Thousands of flags flew inside, some bearing the official emblem of the Islamic Republic and others the Lion and Sun. Despite the visual unity in colors, the flags told contrasting stories of loyalty and dissent. ## Fans torn between pride and politics Samaneh, an Iranian-American who had lived in the United States for a decade, described the emotional conflict she felt. 'I’m here to support Iran, not the regime. I miss my country,' she said, adding that she cried when Iran’s national anthem played. She explained that her mother remained stranded in Iran due to travel restrictions, leaving her constantly worried and fearful of returning. When New Zealand took the lead, some protesters celebrated, waving Lion and Sun flags, while the political divide sharpened outside the venue. ## Dissenters demand regime change Nini, another Iranian-American in attendance, dismissed the latest US-Iran agreement to end hostilities, stating, 'We don’t want a deal. The people of Iran deserve regime change. People were slaughtered on the streets of Tehran.' Farimah, wearing a Lion and Sun T-shirt, argued that the team does not represent Iranians, saying, 'We can’t normalise what happened in January through a sporting event.' Nearby, Kourosh wore a makeshift noose around his neck as a protest against executions in Iran, declaring it 'a symbol to stop the execution of brave and innocent people in Iran.' ## Players insist they represent all Iranians Despite the tensions, striker Mehdi Taremi had emphasized before the match that the team plays for all Iranians, both at home and abroad, and does not engage in politics. Iranian-American Mostafa, walking into the stadium, echoed this sentiment, saying, 'Soccer is about friendship, cultural connections and putting politics aside.' Meanwhile, Iranian-American Elika expressed her own conflicted feelings, stating she tries to separate the regime from the team. She recalled watching past World Cups with her father, who had passed away in 2020, and said she felt compelled to attend in his honor and for Iranians who simply want peace. ## Long-time supporters defend the team Pourmand, dressed head to toe in Iran’s colors, traveled from San Diego to the team’s training camp in Tijuana and attended the past two World Cups in Qatar and Russia. He insisted the players are not political, saying, 'The people of Iran are represented by these players. They’re here to show we’re worthy of being here—a message of friendship and human values.' Elika also shared that she tries to separate the regime from the team, recalling how watching Iran at the World Cup had been a shared tradition with her late father. ## Politics overshadows World Cup campaign Even without the protests, Iran’s World Cup journey has been clouded by political issues. Visa problems forced the team to relocate its base from Arizona to Tijuana, meaning the players competed in the United States while staying in Mexico. A recent agreement to pause hostilities reduced fears of further escalation, but tensions remained high. As the players focused on football, the scene outside the stadium made it clear how difficult it was to separate the game from politics in this context. The Iranian team had aimed to unite people through football, yet the opening match exposed deep divisions among Iranians at home and abroad.