Some people attending Iran's first World Cup 2026 match against New Zealand Monday night were seen carrying or wearing anti-Iranian regime symbols, according to reports ––passing through security without any issues, despite warnings from Tehran and the world soccer's governing body FIFA.
A flag, bearing the symbol of a lion and sun, has been used for centuries before the 1979 revolution. Iran had threatened to stop matches if flags or other anti-government symbols were brought into World Cup stadiums, according to Reuters.
FIFA has also banned such flags at the World Cup, citing stadium regulations. A last-minute hearing in Los Angeles on Monday upheld the ban, The Athletic reported.
“This team is not the team of the people of Iran,†Farhad Jafargad, one of the few attendees wearing a white t-shirt with the lion and sun design, told Reuters.
Other soccer fans who draped themselves with the official Iranian flag told the news outlet they were heckled by protesters, but that they wanted to focus on their team and forget about politics.
“We're very proud of our country,†57-year-old Mehdi Jafari, who wore an Iran soccer shirt, told Reuters.
“We're here to support ​Iran. I think we â should all let go of the politics and just go in and cheer on the Team Melli.â€
