“Not our team”
Iranian fans boo their own team – US officials take action
June 22, 2026 – 4:11 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Iran’s participation in the World Cup is a political issue. There were scuffles in the game against Belgium. Security officers lead a man away.
In Iran’s second game at the Football World Cup There were clashes between fans and security staff. A man tried to get onto the pitch after the 0-0 draw against Belgium in Inglewood, as the world association FIFA announced. As can be seen in pictures, he was wearing a shirt with a print of the Iranian flag from before the Islamic Revolution, which was banned by FIFA.
The man was taken away by stewards. Security personnel also intervened in the stands. The background initially remained unclear. FIFA was asked for further details of the incidents on Sunday evening (local time). What happened to the man is not yet known.
When the national anthems were played for both teams, some Iranian fans in the stadium clearly booed their team. This was also the case in the Iranian team’s first game. As the US broadcaster “FoxNews” reports, FIFA is said to have tightened security checks in front of the stadium for games with Iranian participation in order to confiscate any symbols critical of the government – on T-shirts or flags. In contrast, supporters of the Tehran mullahs’ regime were exempt from the strict controls; they entered the arena without being searched.
Protesters demand “regime change in Iran”
Iran’s participation in the WM in the USA, Mexico and Canada is a political issue in recent months because of the war with the USA and Israel. For the Iranian national team Stricter restrictions apply, including on entry and departure. The Iranian association moved the team headquarters to Mexico. Already close to Iran’s first World Cup game in the stadium Los Angeles Opponents and supporters of Tehran had gathered in the arena.
An Iranian protester held a sign at SoFi Arena that read, “Where is Rashid Mazaheri?” high. He was referring to the former goalkeeper Iranian national teamwhose imprisonment led to a public outcry in the spring. He was detained after publicly criticizing the Iranian regime’s leadership earlier this year.
