THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Hundreds protest Iran's 'regime team' ahead of World Cup opener Hundreds protest Iran's 'regime team' ahead of World Cup opener Agence France-Presse Jun 15, 2026 Add AL-MONITOR on Google Hundreds gathered at SoFi stadium to protest against the Iranian national team, which they say represents the Islamic republic's government, and not the Iranian people — ETIENNE LAURENT Hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered outside the stadium in Los Angeles where Iran will take on New Zealand in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup on Monday. Waving the flag used by Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution, demonstrators beat drums and chanted slogans denouncing the national side, which they insist is a propaganda tool for Tehran. "This team is not the Iranian people's team, it's the regime's team," said Ava Amin, a philosophy student who came to demonstrate with a banner calling for "regime change." "When the people get murdered, they ignore it and stay silent," she told AFP. The match is taking place under tight security, with a large contingent from the Iranian-American community in Los Angeles vowing to make known their opposition to the regime. The city -- sometime dubbed "Tehrangel…

World Cup: Iranians in Los Angeles divided on whether to cheer or jeer Iran US host city braces for protests near stadium as Iran prepares to start its World Cup campaign against New Zealand.

Iranians up at dawn to cheer their team at World Cup <p>Solemn silence during the national anthem and howls of joy after the goals: in Tehran, Iranians followed their team's first steps on American soil in the World Cup with curiosity through the night.</p><p>Most in the Iranian capital were asleep when the match against New Zealand kicked off at 4:30 am.</p><p>But in one of the few cafes open to broadcast the match, there was already a buzz of excitement.</p><p>Around 40 football fans were discussing their team's chances in a World Cup being played under the shadow of the war between Iran and co-hosts the United States.</p>

Iranian-Americans vow to protest World Cup game in Los Angeles <p>When Iran takes to the field on Monday for the first game of its World Cup, Sara Barahman will be among the thousands of protesters outside the stadium waving a very specific flag: the one used by the country before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. </p><p>If these banners —- featuring a lion and sun over green, white, and red stripes —- make it inside the venue, the Iranian team has threatened to halt its match against New Zealand. </p><p>But the political science student couldn't care less. </p>

Flag debate divides diaspora as Iran begin World Cup with New Zealand draw Iran kicked off their World Cup with a tense 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Overcoming several hurdles sparked by the US-Iran war, the team's participation and representation in the Group G matches has been at the heart of multiple controversies, among them is FIFA's ban on the use of Iran's pre-revolutionary flag, which has left the Iranian community in Los Angeles divided.

Hundreds protest Iran's 'regime team' ahead of World Cup opener <p>Hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered outside the stadium in Los Angeles where Iran will take on New Zealand in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup on Monday.</p><p>Waving the flag used by Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution, demonstrators beat drums and chanted slogans denouncing the national side, which they insist is a propaganda tool for Tehran.</p><p>"This team is not the Iranian people's team, it's the regime's team," said Ava Amin, a philosophy student who came to demonstrate with a banner calling for "regime change." </p>

Hundreds protest Iran's 'regime team' ahead of World Cup opener LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - Hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered outside the stadium in Los Angeles where Iran will take on New Zealand in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup on Monday.

Football upstages politics as Iranians rally behind their team at World Cup In opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles, Iran&#039;s Team Melli gets cheers from thousands of anti-regime supporters.

Iranian-Americans vow to protest World Cup game in Los Angeles When Iran takes to the field on Monday for the first game of its World Cup, Sara Barahman will be among the thousands of protesters outside the stadium waving a very specific flag: the one used by the country before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. If these banners —- featuring a lion and sun over green, white, and red stripes —- make it inside the venue, the Iranian team has threatened to halt its match against New Zealand. But the political science student couldn't care less. "We don't care if you stop the game. This is not even our team," the 22-year-old Iranian-American told AFP. "They're not the national team, they're the Islamic government's team," she said. "So, whether they lose or win, we don't care." The war launched against Iran by the United States and Israel in late February has made the journey to the World Cup a tumultuous one for Iran. Never before has a World Cup host -- the US is sharing responsibilities with Mexico and Canada -- been at war with a nation that has qualified. Conflicting signals from US President Donald Trump clouded their participation. In one social media post he said the team was…

Iran's World Cup match brings out protesters and supporters in US | AP News Iranian Americans are torn over Iran’s participation in the World Cup, as some community members plan to watch Monday’s match and others are protesting outside the stadium where the team will play. People protest outside Los Angeles Stadium before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Iran players walk onto the pitch at the stadium one day before their FIFA World Cup match against New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Iran head coach Amir Ghalehnoy, right, and player Mehdi Taremi listens to a question during a press conference ahead of their FIFA World Cup match against New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Pre-revolutionary Iranian flags stand during a protest outside Los Angeles Stadium before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) People protest outside Los An…

Iranian-Americans protest against Iran team at World Cup The BBC’s Shaimaa Khalil was outside the Iran v New Zealand opening round match as protesters called for an end to Tehran’s clerical regime.

'The mullahs' team': Split loyalties for Iran fans at World Cup <p>Iran's World Cup campaign began in Los Angeles in a blaze of goals and controversy Monday, with hundreds protesting against a team they see as stooges for an extremist government in Tehran.</p><p>A boisterous protest greeted fans arriving at SoFi stadium in Los Angeles, with demonstrators waving the pre-revolutionary flag detested by the leaders of the Islamic republic.</p><p>"This team is not the Iranian people's team, it's the regime's team," said Ava Amin, a philosophy student who came to demonstrate with a banner calling for "regime change." </p>

Torn Iranian Americans plan protests, watch parties for team’s World Cup opener <p>Many are upset over FIFA rule barring pre-revolution lion-and-sun flag from stadiums; one fan says tournament doesn't represent the people of Iran: 'This is Team Islamic Republic'</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/torn-iranian-americans-plan-protests-watch-parties-for-teams-world-cup-opener/">Torn Iranian Americans plan protests, watch parties for team&#8217;s World Cup opener</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com">The Times of Israel</a>.</p> <figure><img src="https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/06/AP26158857026629-1024x640.jpg" title="Torn Iranian Americans plan protests, watch parties for team&#8217;s World Cup opener" border="0" width="160" height="100" class="type:primaryImage"></figure>

Iran diaspora watches World Cup game with protests, support Share Add NBC News to Google June 16, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT By Saba Hamedy LOS ANGELES — Fans snuck them into the stadium. Demonstrators waved them outside the security gates. And at watch parties around the city, they appeared whenever the “home” team scored. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. The lion-and-sun flag, associated with Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, was seemingly everywhere across “Tehrangeles” on Monday as Iran opened its World Cup campaign against New Zealand . Add NBC News to Google The Iranian community in Los Angeles has deeply mixed feelings about the Iranian team playing in their city 04:12 But its meaning varied depending on who carried it. Some told NBC News the flag symbolized solidarity with the Iranian people, who many feel have been isolated by conflict and political turmoil. Others said it represented opposition to Team Melli, Iran’s national soccer team, which they view as an extension of the clerical regime governing the Islamic Republic. The competing interpretations reflect a question that has long weighed on the Irania…

As Iran chases the World Cup, its US diaspora is divided between protesting and cheering INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- Iranian American demonstrators amassed Monday outside Iran's first World Cup match, waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-su

Some Iranian Americans wave protest flags, others cheer as Iran open the World Cup <p> <img src="https://en.mercopress.com/data/cache/noticias/110503/100x80/iran.jpg" alt="Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran" width="100" height="80" style="float:left;margin:0 12px 6px 0;border:1px solid #333" /> Iran began their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles on Monday with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, before a crowd that mixed fans cheering the team and Iranian Americans waving symbols of protest against the government in Tehran. The match was played barely 24 hours after the announcement of a preliminary agreement to end the war that the United States and Israel launched against Iran in February.</p>

Why Team Iran Is in a Tough Spot at the World Cup Protesters outside of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Monday.

Iran World Cup opener draws protests - VPM NPR News Iran World Cup opener draws protests NPR | By Arezou Rezvani Published June 16, 2026 at 4:45 AM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 2:28 A MARTÍNEZ, HOST: There were cheers, there were jeers and there were protests at Monday night's World Cup game between Iran and New Zealand. NPR's Arezou Rezvani reports from Los Angeles on the 2-2 draw. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #1: Stop, stop execution in Iran. UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: (Chanting) Stop, stop execution in Iran. AREZOU REZVANI, BYLINE: It was nearly impossible to enter the World Cup stadium last night without encountering protesters - protesters like 26-year-old Mona Cheshmhehil (ph). MONA CHESHMHEHIL: I don't have tickets because I didn't want to go to a game where I'm forced to have the regime flag. REZVANI: Cheshmhehil sees Iran's national soccer team as an extension of Iran's government. So last night, whenever she and other protesters spotted Iranians waving the Islamic Republic's flag, they'd let them have it. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #2: (Shouting in Persian). UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTE…

Protests erupt at Iran team hotel ahead of World Cup tie against NZ Iran's 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match on Monday has become the backdrop for a fresh display of political tensions, with protesters and counterprotesters gathering outside t...

Iran players action during national anthem as fans boo World Cup game ... The Iranian national team made their stance abundantly clear when their national anthem reverberated throughout Los Angeles Stadium. While the sound of music was initially met with boos, the team placed their hands on their chest and passionately sangahead of their opening World Cup clash. Iran played itseagerly awaited 2026 FIFA World Cup openeragainst New Zealand, with the former beset by logistical challenges owing to a series of geopolitical incidents involving the United States. Thesquad had been training in Mexicoand discreetly entered the United States on Sunday night, mere hours before its opening fixture in Los Angeles. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read ourPrivacy Policy Despite the circumstances surrounding the Iranian national team in the months and weeks preceding the first match, the players made their feelings towards the country and its anthem abundantly clear, even as supporters outside the stadium organ…

FIFA World Cup: Iran team arrive in U.S. for opener as nations reach peace deal in West Asia Iranian fans in Tijuana give team warm sendoff before World Cup opener; Iranian Americans protest in LA over Iranian government's human ​rights abuses

As Iran chases the World Cup, its US diaspora is divided ... - ABC News Iranian American demonstrators amassed outside Iran’s first World Cup match, waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flags banned inside the stadium and calling for change in Tehran INGLEWOOD, Calif. --Several hundred Iranian Americans protested outsideIran's first World Cup match Monday,calling for change in Tehran and waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, while thousands of fans poured into the stadium in the heart of the largest diaspora community to see the team play. Iran's participation in the World Cuphas been beset by challengessince the war's outbreak, dividing the community in the United States. Fans cheered and booed loudly while Iran's national anthem was played at the game against New Zealand, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Some spectators held large lion-and-sun flags in the front rows just hours after a court upheld FIFA's ban on the flags. Outside the stadium, demonstrators contended the team is synonymous with Tehran's government, while fans, their cheeks striped with red-and-green face paint, filed past, saying they were separating soccer from politics. At one point, protesters sna…

Iranian Americans protest Iran government ahead of World Cup match in LA <p>By Miguel Gutierrez and Ed White</p><p>INGLEWOOD, California, June 15 (Reuters) - Iranian Americans streamed into the Los Angeles stadium where Iran are due to play their first match at the 2026 World Cup on Monday, some wearing or carrying political symbols protesting the government, while others called for Iranians to band together and forget politics.</p><p>The team arrived at the stadium, having flown into the U.S. on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, touching down in Los Angeles just as a deal was announced to end the U.S.-Iran war.</p>

Iranian Americans plan protests and watch parties ahead of team's World Cup opener <p>Iranian Americans are torn over Iran's participation in the World Cup. Some plan to watch Monday's match, while others plan to protest outside the stadium.</p>

Soccer-Boos, cheers and a draw: Iran's World Cup opener reflects deep divisions <p>By Hatem Maher</p><p>INGLEWOOD, California June 15 (Reuters) - Whistles drowned out parts of Iran's national anthem while other fans sang along, setting the tone for a World Cup opener that often felt more significant for political allegiances than the football on show.</p><p>Before a crowd of more than 70,000 in Los Angeles, home to the world's largest Iranian diaspora, supporters waved flags, chanted and revealed starkly different loyalties as Iran fought back twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday.</p>

Iranian American protesters gather as football team prepare for World Cup opener Iranian Americans streamed into the Los Angeles stadium where Iran play their first match at the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with some calling for Iranians to band together and forget politics while others bore symbols protesting the government. The team arrived at the stadium, having flown into the US on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, ‌Mexico, touching down in Los Angeles just as a deal was announced to end the US-Iran war. They are set to play New Zealand in Group G at 6pm local...