INGLEWOOD, California, June 15 : Iranian Americans streamed into the Los Angeles stadium where Iran play their first match at the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with some calling for Iranians to band together and forget politics while others bore symbols protesting the government.

The team arrived at the stadium, having flown into the U.S. on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, touching down in Los Angeles just as a deal was announced to end the U.S.-Iran war.

They are set to play New Zealand in Group G at 6 p.m. local time (0100 GMT).

In Los Angeles - home to the biggest Iranian community outside Iran, many of whom fled the country after the Islamic Revolution - Iranian American soccer fans say they have been left torn between excitement at seeing the team on the world's biggest stage, anger at Tehran's crackdown on protesters and concern about Washington's bombing campaign.

By 4 p.m. local time, around 300 to 500 protesters had gathered outside the stadium, waving anti-government signs and flags. Some in the community have said they do not want to attend the match as it would imply support for Iran's government.

Others have indicated they will go and try to smuggle in symbols of protest, including the pre-revolutionary Iran flag, which is the same colours as the current official flag but has a different lion-and-sun motif.

Iran has threatened to halt matches if unofficial flags are brought in or slogans chanted.

World soccer's governing body FIFA says, when asked about the matter, that it prohibits flags or apparel of a political nature. But it has not commented specifically on what its approach will be to the Iranian pre-revolutionary flag.

Reuters saw fans carrying the lion-and-sun flag or wearing t-shirts with the symbol passing through security without any issue on Monday.

"I'm attending the game, but not to cheer for Iran. I'm actually going to boo Iran," said Kamron, a 42-year-old who gave only his first name.

Other fans wrapped themselves in the official flag and complained that they had been heckled by the protesters. Some said they wanted to focus on their team - affectionately known as Team Melli - and forget the politics.

"I'm here to support Iran. We're going to win this game," said 57-year-old Mehdi Jafari, wearing an Iran soccer shirt. "We're very proud of our country. We're here to support Iran. I think we should all let go of the politics and just go in and cheer on the Team Melli."

Iran's participation in the tournament has been beset by controversy against the backdrop of the war, which began in February when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

That followed nationwide protests in January inside Iran in which thousands were killed in a bloody government crackdown.

In recent weeks, the soccer team changed their base from Arizona to Mexico, while their federation complained that not all their staff received U.S. visas and that tickets allocated to supporters had been withdrawn.

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Source: CNA