Iran’s footballers have arrived in the USA and are capturing the moment. Image: keystone
June 15, 2026, 10:34 p.mJune 15, 2026, 10:37 p.m
Iran’s first game at the World Cup against New Zealand is explosive. More Iranians live in Los Angeles than anywhere else outside of Iran. On match day on Monday there was a court decision against the historic flag from the Shah’s era, which the opposition to the mullahs’ regime in Tehran also uses.
The world football association FIFA is allowed to ban the historic Iranian flag at World Cup games in Inglewood, south of Los Angeles, and does not have to give in shortly before Iran’s first game against New Zealand. This was ruled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court on the day of the game (local time), as the portal “The Athletic” reported. The flag is considered a symbol of the opposition.
The old Iranian flag with the sun and the lion is a symbol of opposition.Image: keystone
Judge Curtis A. Kin ruled that the right to freedom of expression “is a cornerstone of our society. However, it is not without limits, for example in relation to private actors on private property, and as previous decisions have shown, it can be regulated appropriately.”
The Institute for Voice of Liberty had sued against the ban on the historic Iranian flag with a lion and a sun.
Iran has repeatedly pointed out in recent weeks that FIFA must ensure that there are no political comments against the team or the association at the games and that the official flag of the Islamic Republic – and not the national flag of the opposition – is flown.
Iran threatens to cancel the game
“We have already informed FIFA that those responsible for the team would cancel the game as soon as we heard political slogans in the stadiums,” warned Sports Minister Ahmed Donjamali.
Iran’s captain Mehdi Taremi said at the press conference before the duel with New Zealand: “We play for all Iranians. In every country people have different opinions. We try to unite people. Everyone has the right to their own opinion and we respect that, but we are here to bring joy.” (sda/dpa)