Protesters gather outside Iran's first 2026 World Cup match

Protesters gathered outside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles during Iran's first 2026 World Cup match against New Zealand. Iranian-American fans waved pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flags and booed the national anthem. The Group G match ended in a 2-2 draw. Following these tense moments, the Iranian coach stated that his team was forced to return immediately to their training base in Mexico. The events highlighted significant political tension surrounding the national team's appearance.