Protesters opposed to the Iranian government gathered outside the stadium in Los Angeles ahead of Iran’s opening match against New Zealand in the 2026 World Cup. Iranian Americans displayed symbols opposing the Iranian government, including the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, according to al-monitor.com. Protesters denounced the national team as state propaganda. According to almonitor, Iranian Americans are divided between protesting the Iranian government and cheering the national team. Iran’s national team arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, according to almonitor. A deal was announced to end the U.S.-Iran war just as the Iranian team arrived in Los Angeles, according to almonitor. Protesters and counterprotesters gathered outside Iran’s team hotel ahead of the match, according to dailysabah.