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Iranian-Americans protest against Iran team at World Cup

The BBC’s Shaimaa Khalil was outside the Iran v New Zealand opening round match as protesters called for an end to Tehran’s clerical regime.

Published June 16, 2026, 4:25 AM
Updated June 16, 2026, 4:49 AM1.8K
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Iranian-Americans protest against Iran team at World Cup

Calls to remove Iran’s clerical regime sounded outside Iran’s opening match at the World Cup.

Iranian-Americans gathered in Los Angeles to protest the presence of Iran’s team, which they believe is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran striker Mehdi Taremi told reporters this week that US-Iran political tension “undermines the joy” of the World Cup.

You can read the match report on the game here.

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