Iranian Americans plan protests and watch parties ahead of team's World Cup opener

By — Amy Taxin, Associated Press Amy Taxin, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/iranian-americans-plan-protests-and-watch-parties-ahead-of-teams-world-cup-opener Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Iranian Americans plan protests and watch parties ahead of team's World Cup opener World Jun 15, 2026 6:11 PM EDT INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — 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. A rally was taking shape outside the stadium near Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Many of Southern California's Iranian Americans arrived after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and a hub of eateries, shops and markets about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the stadium is known as "Tehrangeles." Draped in red and green flags emblazoned with the golden lion and sun, demonstrators protesting Tehran's deadly January crackdown on dissent gathered outside the stadium where Iran will face New Zealand. Just hours before kickoff, a Los Angeles judge upheld FIFA's ban on the pre-revolutionary flag at matches, The Athletic reported. When soccer and geopolitics collide People protest outside Los Angeles Stadium before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles on Monday. Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP Photo Some protesters said they had tickets to watch the game while others do not. Rameileh Jaffrey, 46, of Los Angeles, said she feels the national team's players are aligned with the current government in Iran. She said she wants a change in Tehran's government to bring freedom to the people living in the country she left a dozen years ago. "They are not my team. They are a government team," she said. Even so, she said she hopes Iran will win, and has plans to see the team play later in the tournament. Iran's participation in the tournament has been fraught with conflict because of the country's war with U.S. and Israeli forces. The team moved its training base to Mexico from Tucson, Arizona, and some of the country's key soccer officials had not been granted visas to enter the United States. Many in the diaspora have mixed feelings over how to show their support of the Iranian people, but not the government, through their love of soccer. READ MORE: What to know about the deal to end the Iran war "We play for every Iranian, be it in the diaspora or in Iran. People have different opinions, but we are here to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians wherever they live," team captain Mehdi Taremi said at a press conference Sunday. "We are here to bring joy to Iranian people. We do not get involved in politics. We are here to play football." A wide range of views Reza Garajedaghi, 57, said he will watch the game with his 96-year-old father in