The Iranian national anthem was drowned out by boos inside Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Monday evening as thousands of fans waved the country’s pre-revolutionary flag — a symbol banned by Fifa but sported defiantly by Iranian Americans and exiles. The World Cup 2026 clash with New Zealand, which ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, unfolded hours after President Donald Trump announced a preliminary US-Iran peace deal that has left Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, trapped in what the BBC’s Lucy Williamson described as a “political nightmare”.
Trump’s agreement smashes the three cornerstones of Netanyahu’s career: his influence in Washington, his hardline stance on Iran, and his image as Israel’s “Mr Security”. The US president publicly accused Netanyahu of showing “no judgement” when ordering a strike on Beirut on Sunday — an insult seized upon by political rivals and media commentators as Israel heads towards an election due before the end of October.
“Trump's Iran deal isolates Netanyahu as protests erupt at World Cup match in LA.”
Inside the stadium, Iranian protesters vowed to disrupt the match to show their displeasure at the regime. Iran’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, is under specific instructions from the government to stop play if pre-revolutionary flags are displayed or negative chanting is heard. The booing of the anthem and the sight of the banned flag suggested that instruction may yet be tested.
On the pitch, New Zealand’s Elijah Just scored a double, his second a beautiful combination with Chris Wood. Iran levelled twice, first through Ramin Rezaeian and then with a bullet header from Mohammad Mohebi. Ali Nemati had a goal disallowed for offside just before half-time.
Back in Jerusalem, the options facing Netanyahu are stark. Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned in the Knesset on Monday that the prime minister must choose “either a direct and destructive confrontation with our greatest ally, or a submissive surrender of Israeli interests”.
Pressure also comes from within his own coalition. Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, wrote on social media: “Trump’s agreement does not bind us. We are not partners to this agreement that does not ensure our security.” Likud lawmaker Ariel Kallner was more ambiguous: “Israel will continue to protect itself … Sometimes there are disagreements between allies.”
The ceasefire demands from Tehran that Israel cease military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon — a condition that Sima Shine, a former Mossad official, called difficult to understand. “By allowing Iran to decide what will happen in Lebanon, the US is giving Iran the possibility to continue to support Hezbollah,” she said. “Israel is not happy with that.”
As the match ended in a draw, the political drama far from Los Angeles showed no sign of resolution. Netanyahu, once the master of Washington, now finds himself publicly humiliated by his key ally and with an election looming.