Iranian Americans plan protests and watch parties ahead of team's World Cup opener

Iranian Americans are experiencing a deep rift over their national soccer team's participation in the World Cup, with the community split between those planning to watch the games and those organizing protests outside the stadium.

Outside the Los Angeles stadium, where Iran is set to face New Zealand, demonstrators gathered, draped in the red, white, and green flag featuring a golden lion and sun. These protesters are demonstrating against Tehran's deadly crackdown on dissent. A Los Angeles judge upheld FIFA's ban on the pre-revolutionary flag at matches, according to The Athletic.

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They are not my team. They are a government team.

Some protesters expressed a complex relationship with the team. Rameileh Jaffrey, 46, of Los Angeles, stated, "They are not my team. They are a government team." She hopes for a change in Tehran's government to bring freedom to the people in her homeland, which she left 12 years ago. Despite her feelings, she plans to watch the team later in the tournament.

The team's participation has been complicated by geopolitical tensions. Iran moved its training base to Mexico from Arizona, and some soccer officials faced visa issues entering the United States. Many in the diaspora grapple with how to support the Iranian people without endorsing the government.

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We play for every Iranian, be it in the diaspora or in Iran. People have different opinions, but we are here to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians wherever they live. We are here to bring joy to Iranian people. We do not get involved in politics. We are here to play football.

Team captain Mehdi Taremi addressed the situation at a press conference, saying, "We play for every Iranian, be it in the diaspora or in Iran. People have different opinions, but we are here to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians wherever they live. We are here to bring joy to Iranian people. We do not get involved in politics. We are here to play football."

Others, like Reza Garajedaghi, 57, plan to watch the game with his father, supporting the team regardless of politics. "I'm a football die-hard, and the boys, they're representing all Persians, Iranians around the world," said Garajedaghi, who left Iran at age 10. He respects the diverse views within the diaspora.

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I'm a football die-hard, and the boys, they're representing all Persians, Iranians around the world.