The Iran national football team faced New Zealand at the World Cup 2026 opener at SoFi Stadium in California. During the match, fans protested FIFA's ban by bringing in pre-revolution flags. In a particularly notable moment, a group of supporters raised their flags in response to the large flag of the current Iranian government being displayed on the pitch. This act reflected the discontent of some fans regarding the current state of the country. Additionally, some fans booed the Iranian national anthem and celebrated when New Zealand scored. These behaviors clearly highlighted the political and social tensions among supporters of the Iran national football team. During the first half, fans drew attention by holding banners in memory of the 168 children killed in Iran, which were later confiscated by stadium personnel.