Iranian Americans protest at World Cup amid political tensions

Approximately 300 to 500 protesters were outside the stadium, waving anti-government signs and flags. Some expressed reluctance to attend the match, viewing it as support for the government, while others planned to bring symbols of protest, such as the pre-revolutionary Iran flag with its lion-and-sun motif. FIFA prohibits political flags, but Reuters observed fans carrying the lion-and-sun flag and wearing t-shirts with the symbol passing through security without issue.

Fans inside the stadium expressed mixed sentiments. Farhad Jafargad, wearing a t-shirt with the lion-and-sun motif, stated he was planning to cheer on New Zealand. Conversely, Mehdi Jafari, 57, wearing an Iran soccer shirt, emphasized his pride in his country and urged supporters to focus on cheering for the team, known as Team Melli, and set aside politics.

Iran's participation in the tournament has been marked by controversy, amplified by the ongoing war that began in February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. This follows nationwide protests in January within Iran, which resulted in a government crackdown. The team had previously relocated their training base from Arizona to Mexico, citing issues with U.S. visas for staff and the withdrawal of tickets allocated to supporters.