Iranian American Soccer Fans Torn Between Pride and Protest

As Iran qualifies for the World Cup, some fans grapple with supporting the national team.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:52pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a soccer match, with the players' forms broken down into abstract shapes and colors, conveying the complex emotions and divided loyalties of Iranian American fans.The divided loyalties of Iranian American soccer fans are reflected in a Cubist-inspired illustration of a World Cup match.Los Angeles Today

With Iran qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Iranian American soccer fan Arad Ershad had plans to attend one of the team's first-round matches in Los Angeles. However, Ershad and other Iranian Americans are torn between feelings of national pride and the desire to protest the Iranian government's human rights abuses.

Why it matters

The Iranian national soccer team has long been a source of pride for the Iranian diaspora, but the team's relationship with the Iranian government has become increasingly complicated in recent years. As anti-government protests continue within Iran, some Iranian Americans are wrestling with whether to support the team or boycott it as a form of protest.

The details

Ershad, a 32-year-old Iranian American living in Los Angeles, had hoped to attend Iran's World Cup matches in his hometown. However, he is now unsure if he will go, as he grapples with the decision to either support the team he has cheered for since childhood or boycott it to protest the Iranian government's human rights record.

  • Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup in late 2025.
  • The 2026 World Cup matches in Los Angeles are scheduled for June and July 2026.

The players

Arad Ershad

A 32-year-old Iranian American living in Los Angeles who had planned to attend Iran's World Cup matches before reconsidering due to the country's human rights issues.

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What they’re saying

“I've always supported the Iranian national team, but it's hard to do that now with everything that's going on in the country.”

— Arad Ershad

What’s next

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, more Iranian Americans are expected to grapple with the decision of whether to support or boycott the Iranian national team.

The takeaway

The complex relationship between the Iranian national soccer team and the Iranian diaspora highlights the broader tensions and divisions within the Iranian American community as it navigates issues of national pride, human rights, and political protest.