Iranian American Soccer Fans Torn Between Pride and Protests

With Iran qualifying for the World Cup, some fans are conflicted over supporting the national team amid the government's crackdown on protesters.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a soccer match between two teams, with the players' faces and jerseys broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, capturing the dynamic energy of the game.As the Iranian national team prepares for the World Cup, the conflicting emotions of Iranian American fans are reflected in a cubist, fragmented depiction of the game.Los Angeles Today

As Iran's national soccer team prepares for the World Cup, Iranian American fans are grappling with conflicting emotions. Some view the team as complicit in whitewashing the government's repression and can't bear to watch, while others plan to attend games to show their love for the country and sport while also protesting. Others say they'll set politics aside and just enjoy seeing Iran compete. However, the team's participation is uncertain due to the ongoing war between Iran, the US, and Israel.

Why it matters

The Iranian national soccer team often finds itself unable to avoid political issues, with players facing serious consequences for speaking out against the government. This has created a complex dynamic for Iranian American fans who must reconcile their passion for the sport with their opposition to the regime's actions.

The details

Arad Ershad, an Iranian American graduate student from New York, had planned to attend Iran's World Cup matches in Los Angeles, but changed his mind after seeing many of the players he had admired remain silent following the government's deadly crackdown on protesters in January. 'It feels so bad that I do not want them to succeed. They were like my icons, my legends,' Ershad said. Other fans are torn, with some planning to attend games while bearing signs of protest, and others saying they'll set politics aside to enjoy the competition.

  • Iran is set to begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 15 near Los Angeles.
  • Last month, US President Donald Trump discouraged the Iranian team from taking part in the World Cup, citing safety concerns.

The players

Arad Ershad

A New York graduate student who grew up in Tehran and is a diehard Iranian soccer fan, but is conflicted about supporting the national team due to the government's crackdown on protesters.

Nader Adeli

The manager of the Iranian American club team Arya FC's over-60 squad in Los Angeles, who is worried the war might keep Iran from attending the World Cup.

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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,'”

— Arad Ershad, Iranian American graduate student

“'The World Cup should be a moment to enjoy the sport without outside distractions. But with war raging, he doesn't think the team will travel. And if it does, he doubts whether the players would be able to fully focus on competing.'”

— Nader Adeli, Manager of Iranian American club team Arya 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, the team's participation remains uncertain due to the ongoing war between Iran, the US, and Israel.

The takeaway

The complex emotions and political tensions surrounding Iran's national soccer team at the World Cup highlight the challenges faced by Iranian American fans who must reconcile their passion for the sport with their opposition to the regime's actions. This situation underscores the broader impact of geopolitics on international sporting events.