Iran’s World Cup build-up in Los Angeles overshadowed by politics and protests

Hours before Iran’s first World Cup match against New Zealand, football felt secondary in Los Angeles. The team’s official press conference at Los Angeles Stadium became a tense political scene, and outside the final training session at the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS stadium, anti-regime protesters gathered alongside a small number of supporters of Iran’s government.

Iran arrived in California after an unusual trip from its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico. Team officials said a journey that should have taken about 30 minutes stretched to roughly five hours because of security procedures, crossings and movement restrictions. FIFA later told Walla that everything had gone according to plan and said any departure delay of about 15 minutes was normal, caused by Iran’s time at the hotel and Los Angeles traffic. Iran does not stay in the United States between matches, but returns to Mexico and enters the U.S. only shortly before games.

Before the press conference, FIFA asked journalists to stick to football and avoid war, diplomacy between Washington and Tehran, and other political issues. But Iran’s own representatives repeatedly addressed the surrounding tensions. Striker Mehdi Taremi said the players “respect all Iranians,” both inside the country and in the diaspora, and that the team’s aim is “to bring joy to Iranians everywhere in the world.” Coach Amir Ghalanoui also spoke about the difficulties of the current campaign and his wish to give the public a moment of relief.

The sharpest moment came when an AFP reporter asked what would happen if fans waved the Lion and Sun flag, associated with the Shah era and opponents of the Islamic Republic. Before the question was finished, an Iranian delegate gestured angrily toward the FIFA official on the podium, the question was cut off, and FIFA said the team would not answer it. Ghalanoui later gave a general reply that his players know how to ignore distractions and focus on the match.

At the training ground, protesters waved the Lion and Sun flag and some also carried Israeli flags. A woman named Maya, who came with an Israeli flag, said the gesture was one of mutual support and added, “Many Persians supported us since October 7 here in Los Angeles. We want to see a free Iran and a free Iranian people.” She said she supports President Trump but is not enthusiastic about a deal with Tehran. Only two clear supporters of the Iranian regime were visible nearby, and the dominant mood was opposition to the government in Tehran. Iran, which has never advanced beyond the World Cup group stage, enters a group that includes Belgium and Egypt as an underdog, while trying to put politics aside and claim three points against New Zealand.