Rarely has a team arrived at a World Cup carrying as much political baggage as Iran. Until this week, the host nation, the United States, had been at war with the country. The team has faced visa problems, relocated their base camp, and when they take to the pitch in Los Angeles on Monday, they will do so under the gaze of one of the world’s largest Iranian diasporas. An agreement to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, announced on Sunday, may have eased fears of further escalation, but tensions remain high.
“This kind of tension undermines the joy of the World Cup,” said striker Mehdi Taremi. “I felt the tension from the first moment we arrived. The tension started even before we got here.”
“Iran striker Mehdi Taremi says political tension 'undermines the joy of the World Cup' as team faces protests in LA.”
After months of uncertainty, Iran moved their World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to the Mexican border city of Tijuana. The decision followed concerns over visas, security and the increasingly fraught political climate surrounding the team’s participation. Iran’s manager, Amir Ghalenoei, told the BBC the disruption had inevitably affected preparations. “Without any doubt, this kind of behaviour has impacted the spirit of football,” he said. “Football is supposed to bring nations and cultures together. It is about bringing joy. These conditions have affected our focus, but I have tried to make sure the players concentrate on strategy and performance.” He added that the team had arrived late and had little time to adjust. “But I know how committed these players are to performing.”
Los Angeles is often nicknamed “Tehrangeles” – a fact that drew smiles from both player and manager when it was mentioned at a news conference. Many Iranian-Americans will be heading to SoFi Stadium on Monday where Iran will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand. Many will not be there to cheer, but to protest. Fifa has banned the pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag – a powerful symbol for many Iranians living abroad. The decision has angered parts of the diaspora. “You don’t come to Los Angeles and tell us we can’t fly the Lion and Sun flag,” said activist Arezo Rashidian, who is helping organise demonstrations outside the stadium. “This is the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Many of us came here after the revolution. We’re opposing Fifa’s ban and standing in solidarity with the people of Iran.”
Many members of the diaspora are hostile towards Iran’s regime, and some see the squad as an extension of the Islamic Republic. “It’s unfortunate that the regime turns athletes into mouthpieces,” said Rashidian.