Inside the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from a roaring USMNT to regime-defying Iranians

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in the United States with a resounding 4-1 victory for the US Men's National Team against Paraguay in Los Angeles. For the author, attending the match with his father, who traveled from Tel Aviv, marked a significant personal and familial occasion, celebrating the USMNT's return to home soil for the tournament after more than three decades.

The game itself was a spectacle, with "USA, USA!" chants echoing through the stadium for two hours as the home team dominated. The author noted the presence of Jewish USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner, alongside stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Sergino Dest. The match also held symbolic weight due to Paraguay's strong diplomatic ties with Israel, including its embassy in Jerusalem and designation of certain groups as terror organizations.

However, the tournament has not been without its controversies. Reports indicate issues such as exorbitant transportation and hotel costs, stadiums failing to sell out, and visa denials for various officials and journalists. A particularly resonant point of contention for those connected to the Middle East is Iran's participation.

Following the USMNT's match, a demonstration outside SoFi Stadium highlighted political tensions. Protesters waved flags of the lion and sun, Israeli flags, and images of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. They voiced frustration that FIFA permitted the flag of the Islamic Republic while prohibiting their traditional national symbol, asserting that their identity had been "hijacked."

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FIFA has allowed the flag of the Islamic Republic to be woven but “not our national flag,” referring to the lion and sun flag. “They’ve hijacked our identity.