Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand carried a political edge before kickoff, and some supporters found a creative way to make their point inside the stadium. The dispute centered on Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag,

The Iranian men's national football team brought children's backpacks onto the pitch before a March 2026 friendly as a tribute to the victims of a strike that hit a school at the start of the Middle East war,

Controversy was stirred at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday with one player’s questionable celebration. In a 2-2 draw with New Zealan, Iran midfielder Mohammad Mohebi scored his country’s second goal and appeared to act out firing guns as his celebration Many on social media were outraged by the celebration and believed it to be made in reference to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran.

Mehdi Taremi cut a frustrated figure during Iran’s pre-match press conference ahead of their World Cup opener against New Zealand, as questions quickly shifted away from football and towards off-field issues.

Iran arrived in Los Angeles only about 24 hours before World Cup opener and flew back to Tijuana, Mexico immediately after.

For the first time in World Cup history, a host nation is at war with one of its participants. Iranian Americans are at a crossroads.

The Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) said Mehdi Torabi received a multi-entry visa for the United States on Tuesday after his previous one expired when he left the country ​in the wake of the team's World Cup opener in Los Angeles.

Iran's national men's football team arrived in the United States on Sunday, June 15.