Iran's national anthem was met with jeers from sections of the crowd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against New Zealand, as protesters defied FIFA's ban on pre-revolution flags. The booing marked the culmination of extraordinarily turbulent preparations for the Iranian team, which had not even been expected to feature at the finals when co-hosts the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign in February. Although a peace deal was reached on Sunday, the lead-up to the match underscored the deep divisions surrounding Iran's participation.
Anthem Booed, Team Supported
The anthem was audibly booed inside the stadium, yet just minutes earlier, loud cheers erupted when footage of the squad in the tunnel appeared on giant screens. The team also received vocal support once the match began. Los Angeles' Iranian community, largely composed of those who fled the 1979 Islamic revolution or their descendants, holds strong anti-regime sentiment.
FIFA Flag Ban Defied
FIFA successfully pursued a legal case earlier on Monday to ban flags bearing the pre-revolution 'Lion and Sun' emblem from the stadium. However, considerable numbers of such flags were still visible inside the ground moments before kick-off. Protesters had vowed to cause "hell" ahead of the match, and aggressive anti-regime chants echoed around SoFi Stadium, branding Tehran's rulers as "terrorists."
Mixed Feelings Among Fans
Many attendees drew a distinction between the football team and the government. Keyan Jafari, wearing a cape and headband with the 'Lion and Sun', said: "I support Persian culture, heritage, and history. I don't stand for the Islamic regime and what they've done to my country. I want the players to know I stand for them as long as they are Iranian and stand with us." Marian Rogers, who left Iran in 1977, said: "There is division among Iranians who feel the team represents the government. I don't believe that. I think this is just soccer, and I like to leave politics out of it."
