The Iran national football team is facing challenges in the FIFA World Cup 2026, including political tensions and fan protests. The team, which represents Iran in the World Cup, is dealing with political and social protests in their home country as well as among Iranian Americans in Los Angeles. Many Iranian Americans who are fans of the Iran national football team are opposed to the Islamic Republic of Iran flag that appears on the team's uniforms. They believe that the flag is a symbol of the Islamic Republic regime, which they say disregards human rights and individual freedoms in Iran. The Iran national football team will play against New Zealand and Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. Many Iranian Americans who are fans of the team have decided not to support the team and instead are showing support for the people of Iran. They believe that the Iran national football team should be separate from the Islamic Republic regime and act as a symbol of Iranian identity and culture, rather than a propaganda tool for the regime.