Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFans turn their back on the pitch during the national anthems during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Iran and New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on June 15 (Getty)Iran's national anthem was booed by some spectators at SoFI Stadium in Los Angeles during their World Cup match against New Zealand. The game occurred hours after President Donald Trump announced a preliminary US-Iran peace deal to end America's war with Iran. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the stadium, demonstrating against the Iranian regime and its crackdown on pro-democracy activists. Iran's participation in the tournament has been controversial, set against the backdrop of a war and internal protests in Iran. FIFA upheld a ban on the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag, citing rules against political, offensive, or discriminatory symbols. In fullIran national anthem booed at World Cup before New Zealand gameThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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 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…

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Iran start their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles on Monday against New Zealand but the team will have to deal with protests from activists both prior to and during the fixture

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMonday sees Spain open their World Cup…

Iran kick off their tournament against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium on Monday evening.

Hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered outside the stadium in Los Angeles where Iran will take on New Zealand in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup on Monday.Waving the…

Protests erupted ahead of Iran's World Cup match with New Zealand as hundreds of demonstrators made their voices heard outside the stadium

Iran began their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles on Monday with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, before a crowd that mixed fans cheering the team and Iranian Americans waving…

Iranian football fans outside SoFi Stadium ahead of the Iran and New Zealand match say they are anti-regime but pro-Iranian team.

Iran took on New Zealand at SoFi Stadium on Monday evening in a fiercely political setting.

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The atmosphere was politically charged, and emotions were high ahead of Iran's World Cup game against New Zealand, with protests taking place before the match

Iran kicked off its World Cup against New Zealand on Monday night.

Iran began their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Group G after a build-up overshadowed by politics

Over 200 Iranian diaspora protesters rallied outside SoFi Stadium before Iran's 2026 World Cup opener, waving banned pre-revolutionary flags and challenging

Iran's players reacted as their country's national anthem was played ahead of their match against New Zealand

Iran opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as several hundred Iranian Americans protested the Tehran

Iranian fans accused anti-government protesters of heckling them as they went into the stadium for the match against New Zealand

Iran did not seem bogged down by political baggage as they let their football do the talking in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles