Anti-government demonstrators assembled in Los Angeles, which hosts the largest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran, ahead of the Iran-New Zealand match.
Iranian Americans poured into the Los Angeles stadium on Monday for Iran's first game of the 2026 World Cup, with some urging Iranians to unite and set aside politics while others carried symbols of protest against the government.
The squad arrived at the venue after flying into the United States on Sunday from their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, landing in Los Angeles just as an agreement to end the US-Iran war was announced.
They are scheduled to face New Zealand in Group G at 6 p.m. local time.
In Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran—many of whom fled the country following the Islamic Revolution—Iranian American football fans say they are torn between the thrill of seeing the team on the global stage, anger over Tehran's suppression of protesters, and anxiety about Washington's bombing campaign.
By 4 p.m. local time, roughly 300 to 500 demonstrators had gathered outside the stadium, waving anti-government signs and flags. Some in the community have stated they do not wish to attend the match, as it would signal support for Iran's government.
Others have said they will go and attempt to sneak in protest symbols, such as the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag, which shares the same colors as the current official flag but features a different lion-and-sun emblem.
Iran has threatened to halt matches if unofficial flags are brought in or slogans are chanted.