A divisive collision of geopolitics and sports is playing out in a community with emotional ties to two countries at war, setting the stage for drama and protest that will go beyond the pitch.

The U.S.-Israeli war has left fans torn between excitement, anger at Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and concern that Washington’s bombing campaign has gone too far.

Flag bans, travel headaches and a religious regime video among bumps in road, as team prepares to be first to play in country with which it is at war

LOS ANGELES: When Iran kick off their World Cup campaign next week in Los Angeles, Iranian-American businessman Ehsan Shafi will be in the stands cheering on Team Melli, a rare…

Athletes are caught between domestic demands for national unity, and diaspora pressure to stand up to the Islamic Republic

By Rory CarrollLOS ANGELES, June 13 (Reuters) - Iran open their World Cup Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday in a match shaped as much by events off the…

Iran's World Cup history has often reflected the country's political turmoil. But as Team Melli begin their campaign the players face unprecedented pressures

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi says his team is having a challenging World Cup experience amid the multifold disruptions caused by the tensions created by their nation’s ongoing war…

Protests and tension threatened to turn match into political flashpoint

Iran arrive in Los Angeles for World Cup opener amid a new US-Iran peace deal, visa issues and political protests ahead of their match vs New Zealand.

As Iran play New Zealand in Los Angeles, Iranian Americans are divided between stadium protests and watch parties, reflecting deep political and diaspora tensions.

Iran's football team arrives in the U.S. amid a historic peace deal, as protests highlight ongoing human rights concerns.

Iran is beginning its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles after being forced to train in Tijuana, with players allowed into the US only for matches and many…

A divisive collision of geopolitics and sports is playing out in a community with emotional ties to two countries at war, setting the stage for drama and protest that will go…

If you want the World Cup to promote peace and harmony, you have to actually let it do that, not toy with Iran football team and move them to Mexico.

Iranian-American protesters gathered near SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as Iran faced New Zealand in its 2026 World Cup opener, waving pre-revolutionary

It was raining goals on Sunday with Germany and Sweden both impressing with big wins. Today, though, soccer takes somewhat of a backseat with Iran set to play its first match of…

INGLEWOOD, California, June 15 : 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…

LOS ANGELES, June 15 : The Iran soccer team were preparing to play their first match at this year's World Cup in Los Angeles on Monday, with protests expected by the city's large…

Eager soccer fans are trickling into the area in Inglewood, Calif., ahead of what's expected to be an exciting and dramatic match.

Iranian Americans remain divided over whether supporting the team means supporting the state