LOS ANGELES : Iranian-American activists and former footballers staged a protest outside Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday, calling on FIFA to expel Iran from the 2026 World Cup over allegations of human rights abuses by the country’s government.
The demonstration took place days before Iran’s opening match of the tournament and drew protesters who argued that the national team’s participation gives authorities in Tehran an opportunity to improve their international image despite criticism of the country’s human rights record.
“Bringing them here and having them play basically presents a calm face to the world, when in fact back home there is no calmness, there’s only execution and suffering that the regime has brought,” said Ryan Salami, a 21-year-old Iranian-American whose parents fled Iran.
Protesters carried photographs of athletes they said had been persecuted, imprisoned or died in custody after opposing Iranian authorities. Former players were among those who addressed the gathering.
Asghar Adibi, a former Iran international who represented the country in 1970, criticised the current national team and alleged it was closely linked to the Iranian establishment.
“This is the ayatollahs’ team,” Adibi told demonstrators, claiming the side was influenced by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
The protest highlighted differing views among opponents of the Iranian government over the role of the players. Some demonstrators expressed sympathy for footballers they believe are under pressure to remain silent, while others argued that only individuals loyal to the authorities are selected to represent the country.
“They are all attached to the regime in some way,” protester Peymaneh Shafi said, gesturing toward photographs of athletes she said had been persecuted by Iranian authorities.
The rally concluded with a march through the downtown area and renewed calls for political change in Iran. Participants also reiterated demands that FIFA exclude the country from international competition.
Neither FIFA nor the Iranian football federation immediately responded to requests for comment.
The issue is also expected to surface inside stadiums during the tournament. Some protesters said supporters would attempt to display Iran’s pre-1979 lion-and-sun flag during matches despite restrictions on unauthorised political symbols.
“100%,” said Nasrin Saifi, an Iranian-American who left Iran shortly before the 1979 revolution, when asked whether fans would seek to display the flag during Iran’s games.
Iran are due to begin their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles amid heightened political scrutiny surrounding the team’s participation in the tournament.
