Iranian American Soccer Fans Torn Between Pride and Protest Ahead of World Cup

Conflicting emotions as Iran's national team prepares for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:07pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting in the cubist style, featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes that deconstruct a soccer match between the Iranian and New Zealand national teams. The players' figures are abstracted into unrecognizable forms, with the ball and field creating a sense of movement and energy.The complex political tensions surrounding Iran's national soccer team are reflected in a fragmented, cubist-inspired illustration of their upcoming World Cup match.Irvine Today

With Iran qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Iranian American soccer fans are grappling with conflicting emotions. Some view the national team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and can't bear to watch, while others plan to attend games to show their love for the country and sport, but also to protest. Others say they'll set politics aside and just enjoy seeing Iran compete on soccer's biggest stage. The team often finds itself unable to avoid political issues, with players facing consequences for speaking out against the government.

Why it matters

The Iranian national team's participation in the World Cup has become a politically charged issue within the Iranian diaspora community in the U.S., particularly in the Los Angeles area which has the largest Iranian population outside of Iran. The team's actions and the fans' responses reflect the deep divisions and complex emotions surrounding the Iranian government's crackdown on protesters.

The details

Some Iranian American fans, like Arad Ershad, a New York graduate student who grew up in Tehran, are boycotting the team because many players failed to speak out against the government's deadly crackdown on protesters in January. Others, like Masoud Ahmadi, a 62-year-old interior designer, plan to attend Iran's games while protesting the government by carrying the country's pre-revolutionary flag. Some, like Sasan Sadri, the manager of an Iranian American club team, say they'll try to wear shirts calling for leadership change in Iran. There are also concerns that Iran may not even participate in the World Cup due to the ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel.

  • Iran is set to begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 15 near Los Angeles.
  • Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the Iranian team from taking part, citing safety concerns.
  • In 2022, a prominent former member of the national team was arrested for allegedly protesting against the country's leadership.
  • This year, star striker Sardar Azmoun wasn't selected for World Cup warmup games, reportedly because of a social media post that angered the authorities.

The players

Arad Ershad

A New York graduate student who grew up in Tehran and is boycotting the Iranian national team due to the players' silence on the government's crackdown on protesters.

Masoud Ahmadi

A 62-year-old interior designer who plans to attend Iran's World Cup games and protest the government by carrying the country's pre-revolutionary flag.

Sasan Sadri

The manager of an Iranian American club team who says he'll try to wear a shirt calling for leadership change in Iran if he gets a ticket to see Iran play.

Shiva Amini

A former member of Iran's women's national team who is calling on the U.S. government not to grant visas to the men's team to play in the World Cup.

Amir Nasr-Azadani

An Iranian player who faces years behind bars for his involvement in the 2022 protests.

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What they’re saying

“'It feels so bad that I do not want them to succeed. They were like my icons, my legends. I know playing a World Cup is the biggest thing a soccer player can achieve in his life, but how can you just be silent?'”

— Arad Ershad, New York graduate student

“'Sports should never become a political issue. As people, we have nothing against any Americans, we have nothing against any Iranians. It is just the governments.'”

— Nader Adeli, Manager of Iranian American club team Arya FC

“'They had a big platform, and instead of talking about that, they were laughing, they were so happy, and it was honestly a slap on the face. So those are not the Iranian national soccer team. Those are the regime's national soccer team.'”

— Shiva Amini, Former member of Iran's women's national team

“'We're going to definitely raise our voice. This team is not an Iranian people's team. This is a government team.'”

— Masoud Ahmadi, Iranian American soccer player

“'As my countrymen, I like them to achieve. I don't support the regime, but soccer is soccer.'”

— Sasan Sadri, Manager of Iranian American club team Sina FC

What’s next

Iranian soccer officials recently met with the head of FIFA, international soccer's governing body, who has insisted that Iran stick to the World Cup schedule. However, there are still concerns that Iran may not participate due to the ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel.

The takeaway

The participation of Iran's national soccer team in the 2026 World Cup has become a politically charged issue within the Iranian diaspora community in the U.S. The complex emotions and divided loyalties of Iranian American fans reflect the deep tensions and challenges facing the country both at home and abroad.