Hundreds of Iranian-Americans gathered outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 15 to protest against Iran’s clerical government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps before the country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against New Zealand.
Demonstrators waved the Lion-and-Sun flag, a pre-1979 symbol that has become a rallying emblem for opponents of the Islamic Republic. FIFA banned the flag from tournament venues.
A stadium divided
Inside, the atmosphere was just as charged. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. The crowd split visibly between those supporting Team Melli as a representation of the Iranian people and those aligned with the regime.
Banners criticizing the Iranian government were scattered throughout the protest zone.
