Iranian Americans protest outside SoFi Stadium ahead of World Cup match

Protests occurred outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, during Iran's FIFA World Cup match against New Zealand, with demonstrators opposing the team's association with the Iranian government and displaying the banned lion-and-sun flag.

By Daniel McKee1 min read

Several hundred Iranian Americans protested outside SoFi Stadium before Iran's World Cup match against New Zealand. Demonstrators waved the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, which FIFA had recently banned from stadiums.

Protesters claimed the national team represented the Iranian government and were not separate from its regime. Some demonstrators removed and destroyed an official Iran flag held by a fan.

Security personnel and sheriff’s deputies intervened during confrontations between protesters and fans before and after the match. Some demonstrators entered the stadium, including one who concealed a lion-and-sun flag under clothing.