Iran Fans Display Pre-Revolutionary Flag at World Cup Match in Los Angeles Despite FIFA Ban

Iranian supporters displayed the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag inside Los Angeles Stadium during Iran's Group D match against Belgium on June 21, 2026. The stadium, formerly known as SoFi Stadium, hosted the match as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA banned the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag from World Cup venues.

The tournament code prohibits banners, flags, fliers, apparel and other paraphernalia deemed political, offensive or discriminatory. Tournament organizers classified the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag under those restrictions before the competition began. Hundreds of demonstrators protested the current Iranian regime outside the stadium, shouting for freedom and change.

The pre-revolutionary flag appeared hours before kickoff above parking lots, draped across shoulders and tied around necks as makeshift capes. Fans folded the banned flags into compact squares and slipped them into pockets or bags before entering security checkpoints.

Once inside, supporters reappeared with the flags, wore the emblem on T-shirts, tied flags around shoulders and unfurled large versions.

During the playing of the current National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran, fans booed the anthem. The same scene of displaying the pre-revolutionary flag and booing the anthem occurred during Iran's World Cup opener against New Zealand the previous week.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian diaspora community in the United States, with an estimated 600,000 Persian Americans in Southern California centered around Westwood’s Tehrangeles district.