Whistles during the Iranian national anthem at the 2026 World Cup before Iran - New Zealand
By OnzeActu · · 3 min read
The Iranian national anthem was whistled by part of the public during the opening match of Group G of the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles. This electric atmosphere comes in a context of political tensions, while a preliminary peace agreement has been announced between the United States and Iran.
Monday evening at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the Iranian national anthem was greeted by whistles from some spectators as the Iran team entered the 2026 World Cup against New Zealand in Group G. This meeting took place a few hours after former President Donald Trump's announcement of a preliminary peace agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending years of conflict.
The Iranian team, which had prepared for its competition in Tijuana, Mexico, arrived on Sunday in Los Angeles, in the largest Iranian community outside Iran, since the mass exile which followed the Islamic revolution of 1979. Before kick-off, between 300 and 500 demonstrators had gathered in front of the stadium, brandishing signs and flags hostile to the Iranian regime. These protesters expressed their refusal to attend the match, believing that this would amount to legitimizing the Tehran regime responsible for brutal repression against pro-democracy protesters.
Inside the stadium, boos accompanied the Iranian national anthem. This demonstration of hostility reflects the heavy political atmosphere surrounding Iran's participation in this World Cup, in a context of increased tensions since the American and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory in early 2024 and the bloody repression of national demonstrations in January.
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The Iranian team also had to change its base camp, moving from Arizona to Mexico, due in particular to difficulties for its members in obtaining American visas or the elimination of tickets allocated to its supporters.
A US administration official clarified that "the country would not allow the Iranian team to abuse the system to bring in terrorists under false pretenses." Furthermore, FIFA confirmed Monday morning the ban on the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag, displaying a lion and a sun, symbolic of the former Shah regime and distinct from the current official flag. This flag is banned because it is considered “political, offensive or discriminatory” by FIFA regulations.
Judge Curtis Kin rejected a motion to lift the ban, emphasizing that freedom of expression, while fundamental, can be reasonably limited in a private setting such as during this international competition.
This situation illustrates how the 2026 World Cup, beyond sport, is also the scene of strong political and social tensions around Iran.