Iran anthem – The Iranian national anthem was met with boos and whistles at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, as protests over the treatment of athletes and political prisoners unfolded outside the stadium. The match was tight u
The Iranian national anthem didn’t arrive at SoFi Stadium like a unifying moment. Before Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles, the stadium filled with boos and whistles as the team lined up ahead of kick-off.
It was a first appearance for the Iranian side since a preliminary deal was reached between Iran and President Donald Trump’s White House to reopen the strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic. The same announcement set the tone for a wider peace plan to be pursued as a ceasefire remains tenuous. Inside the stadium, though, the tension had a louder soundtrack.
It was not entirely clear which supporters were booing the anthem. The crowd included Americans, New Zealanders, and members of Los Angeles’ sizable Iranian community. In southern California. LA is often nicknamed “Tehrangeles” for its estimated 230. 000 Iranian-American residents—many of whom fled the current regime before and after the 1979 revolution.
As Iran’s national anthem was called for on the stadium’s many scoreboards. booing and whistling circulated and intensified when the public address announcer asked attendees to stand. But the response wasn’t uniform. There was cheering among pockets of pro-regime fans, with some supporters seen waving Iran’s flag. As the anthem crescendoed, cheers could be heard across parts of the building.
Outside the venue before the match, protestors demonstrated against the current Iranian regime’s persecution of athletes and political prisoners. Even then, not everyone arrived with anger only. Some spectators remained hopeful that a strong World Cup run could help mend the rift between Iran and those living abroad.
“You would hope that soccer and sports brings unity,” Iran fan Dany Taheri said. “It brings everyone together, people on both sides of the aisle inside Iran and outside Iran.”
On the pitch, that idea—division held up to a game—found its sharpest test at 32 minutes. Ramin Rezaeian scored the first of two equalizers, bringing Iran level. Mohammad Mohebbi struck the other equalizer in the 64th minute.
For both sets of fans watching, the goals landed like release valves. Iranian supporters on either side of the political divide reacted to each equalizer with “sheer exuberance. ” and many didn’t go back to their seats for long stretches of play. Even the online noise reflected how hard it hit in person: “Tehrangeles celebrates!!!!!” one attendee wrote on X after the goals.
Iran anthem booed SoFi Stadium World Cup 2026 Iran vs New Zealand Ramin Rezaeian Mohammad Mohebbi protests strait of Hormuz Donald Trump ceasefire
So they booed the anthem… okay but why does that even matter to the game? Just kick off.
This is why sports can’t be “just sports” I guess. Half the place is booing and half is cheering like it’s two different countries watching. Also all the stuff about prisoners… man.
Wait, I thought Trump opening the strait was already done like months ago? So they’re saying the anthem booing has something to do with that deal? Seems like a stretch, but people gonna be mad either way. I saw Tehrangeles trending and figured it was just all drama for clicks.
They booed because of political prisoners but then also people are waving the flag?? I’m confused. Like which Iran are they booing, the whole team or the regime? And why would a stadium in LA be the place for it anyway, I thought World Cup was supposed to unite people.