DUBAI : Iran has warned it could stop its World Cup matches if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted inside stadiums, Iranian media reported on Tuesday, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali.
The warning comes amid criticism from some activists over Iran’s participation in the tournament, which begins on Thursday.
Iran open their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium at the same venue on June 21. They conclude the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
“We have informed FIFA that if unofficial flags are brought or slogans against the national team are chanted in the stadiums where Iran plays in the World Cup, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match,” Donyamali was quoted as saying by Iranian media.
He added that Iranian officials had received assurances that no disruptive incidents would occur during the match against Egypt.
The comments follow concerns raised by the football associations of Iran and Egypt over activities linked to Seattle’s Pride weekend. The June 26 fixture has been designated by local organisers as a “Pride Match”, and both associations had previously urged FIFA to prevent LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities connected to the game.
Iran’s participation in the tournament has also drawn opposition from some groups abroad. In April, demonstrators gathered outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver and called for Iran to be excluded from the World Cup, arguing that the national team represented the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than the Iranian people.
The team has also faced logistical difficulties ahead of the competition. Iran’s football federation said its allocation of match tickets was withdrawn shortly before the tournament, leaving supporters who had already arranged travel plans unable to attend matches.
Iran are currently training in Tijuana, Mexico. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said the squad will be permitted to enter the United States the day before each of its matches, amid an ongoing conflict that has added a geopolitical dimension to the tournament.
