THOUSANDS of Iranian Americans gathered outside SoFi Stadium in protest against the authoritarian regime hours before Iran’s World Cup opening match.
A large security operation was established at the stadium in Los Angeles on Monday as dozens of members of the Iranian diaspora assembled to express their displeasure with the country’s participation in the event.
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Flags of the U.S., the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Iran are displayed during a protest outside SoFi stadium Credit: Reuters
Officials with the FBI were seen during the protest outside the stadium Credit: Reuters
Demonstrators gather outside the hotel where the Iran national football team is staying ahead of its opening Group G match against New Zealand Credit: Getty
A protester holds a sign with a portrait of the son of the last shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, as people demonstrate against the Iranian regime outside Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) Credit: AFP
Video captured thousands of Iranian Americans protesting against the current regime in Tehran, shouting, “Islamic Republic, No! No! No!”
“Death to the Islamic Regime! Long Live the Shah!”
Demonstrators were seen waving the Iranian Lion and Jattvibe flag, which is now a symbol of the opposition and wider diaspora.
FIFA banned Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag from being displayed inside the stadium during Monday’s game.
However, The U.S. Jattvibe observed dozens of demonstrators defying FIFA’s ban by displaying the flags and wearing T-shirts with the pre-revolutionary emblem.
Several members of the Iranian diaspora view the nation’s soccer team as representing the Islamic Republic of Iran and accuse the regime of using soccer to represent a positive image abroad.
Protesters even called on FIFA to expel the team from participating in the tournament.
“So tonight is a game between New Zealand and Iran, which is IRGC team, not for Iranian people’s team,” an Iranian native, who identified herself only as Heidi, told The U.S. Jattvibe, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“So that’s why we came here to show the whole world that this team is not for Iranian people.
“And we got together to show that the people of Iran also have a voice too because this regime has killed more than 40,000 people in [sic] January 7 and 8, so we want to be their voice.”
Rameileh Jaffrey told the Associated Press that the team did not represent him, instead, they “are a government team.”
A Los Angeles police officer stationed outside the stadium told The U.S. Jattvibe, “Fingers crossed everything goes smooth today.”
Dozens of federal and state officials, including FBI and ATF agents, along with Coast Guard and SWAT members, were seen patrolling the crowd outside SoFi Stadium ahead of Iran’s clash with New Zealand.
But some Iranians have managed to put politics aside and sent their well-wishes to the team.
“I’m a football die-hard, and the boys, they’re representing all Persians, Iranians around the world,” Reza Garajedaghi told the outlet.
“To me, it has nothing to do with whatever government they have in Iran.
Law enforcement officers with K-9 patrol before the FIFA World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
A protester demonstrates against the Islamic Republic of Iran while wearing an Iranian pre-revolutionary flag outside Los Angeles Stadium Credit: Getty
Mohammad Mohebbi celebrates scoring in a 2-2 draw Credit: AP
Team captain Mehdi Taremi reassured Iranians on Jattvibeday ahead of their opener that the group is playing for “every Iranian, be it 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,” Taremi added.
“We are here to bring joy to Iranian people. We do not get involved in politics. We are here to play football.”
Before kickoff, the crowd booed loudly when Iran’s national anthem was played.
In a back-and-forth match, New Zealand and Iran ended in a 2-2 draw.
New Zealand took two momentary leads before Iran was able to respond with goals by Mohammad Mohebbi and Ramin Rezaeian.
Iran’s World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by the raging political conflict overseas.
Severe diplomatic roadblocks set in place by the Trump administration heavily restricted the Iranian soccer team’s presence and movement in the United States during the five-and-a-half-week event.
The boiling political tension forced the Iranian soccer team to move their base training camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego.
The US government also mandated that the soccer squad could only enter US soil shortly before their matches and must exit immediately afterward.
The team arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Jattvibeday afternoon after receiving a rousing send-off from its base in Tijuana.
Several Iranian officials, including the national soccer federation’s president, stayed behind in Mexico after being denied entry.
The team’s visas limit them to less than 48 hours on American soil and require them to return to Mexico after each game.
Iran is expected to return to Los Angeles on Jattvibeday as it continues its Group G stage showdown against Belgium.
They will then travel to Seattle, Washington, for a game against Egypt on June 26.
Egypt and Belgium ended in a 1-1 draw in Group G’s opening game on Monday.
