Iran's World Cup Opener Met with Protests by Iranian Diaspora Accusing Team of Being a 'Regime Tool'

2026 World Cup Key News

(CNA, Los Angeles, 15 -综合 international news agencies) Iran's national football team played their opening match against New Zealand today at a stadium in Los Angeles during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Outside the venue, hundreds of protesters opposed to the Iranian regime gathered, denouncing the team as the 'regime's team' and insisting it does not represent the Iranian people.

Demonstrators waved the pre-1979 Islamic Revolution Iranian flag, beat drums loudly, and chanted slogans condemning the national team, accusing it of being a propaganda tool for Tehran.

According to AFP, protester and student Ava Amin held a sign reading 'The regime must be replaced' and stated that the team entering the match does not represent the Iranian people, but rather serves the regime.

She told AFP: 'When the regime kills its own people, they choose silence and ignore everything.'

Today's match was under high security, while large numbers of Iranian-Americans outside the stadium voiced opposition to Iran's clerical regime.

Los Angeles, sometimes referred to as 'Tehrangeles,' hosts the largest Iranian diaspora community outside Iran. Many residents fled their homeland before and after the 1970s Iranian Revolution, or are second-generation immigrants.

Before kickoff, AFP spoke with several protesters who held match tickets and wore T-shirts printed with the pre-revolution Iranian flag. Some said they planned to carefully conceal the flags and smuggle them into the stadium.

FIFA regulations prohibit the display of political symbols at event venues, and Tehran officials have warned they will halt the match if the pre-revolution Iranian flag appears inside the stadium.

Some Iranian-Americans inside the stadium told AFP that protesters should not bring politics into the football field. (Translation: Chi-Chin Ling) 1150616

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