Iran national anthem BOOED by fans as they play out 2-2 draw with New Zealand at World Cup in US
IRAN fans didn’t watch quietly as their national team took on New Zealand. Whether positively, through deafening cheers for scoring chances, or negatively with boos during the national anthem, over 70,000 fans made their voices heard. The two sides competed in a thriller of a game in Los Angeles under a heavy shield of security. With the watchful eyes of SWAT teams, Coast Guard soldiers, and FBI agents looking on, Iran drew 2-2 with the All Whites. The thrilling game produced a rowdy crowd in SoFi Stadium, and on paper it certainly looked like it could be a hotbed of unrest due to the multiple-month conflict between the United States and Iran. But at the end of the day the heightened security looked like complete overkill. READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP The Iranian fans, while relentlessly vocal, were not dangerous or a distraction from the action on the pitch — even after thousands gathered outside SoFi Stadium in opposition of the nation’s current regime. Support for the Iranian National Team was deafening at times, despite protesters labeling them “Mojtaba’s team” in their chants. In the eyes of those marching outside SoFi Stadium, the players on the Iranian National Team represent an oppressive government on the pitch, not the nation’s people. “This team is not for Iranian people,” a protester who only identified herself as Heiei told SunSport. Most read in Sport “They are just for the Iranian regime.” At the demonstration, Iranian supporters carried the historic flag of Iran, which displays a lion in the middle of horizontal green, white and red stripes. That flag was banned by Fifa prior to the nation’s opening game against New Zealand, but the stands inside SoFi Stadium were peppered with them anyway. And despite threats from Iran to halt games if the flag was present, supporters triumphantly waved them. “If we cannot carry this flag we are not going to watch the game, because we cannot show our voice,” Heiei continued. With those flags in the stadium the Iranians did show their voice alongside some passionate New Zealanders who took in the action-packed match. The Iranians will be seeing Kiwi midfielder Elijah Just and forward Chris Wood in their nightmares after the duo completed a nearly flawless game. Together they combined for a brace with Just scoring in the seventh and 54th minute, both times on assists from Wood. But the effort wasn’t enough to bury the relentless Iranians. Iran were able to get the ball in the net thanks to a lovely follow-up from defender Ramin Rezaeian on a blocked shot in the 32nd minute. World Cup 2026 - all the info LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! This year’s World Cup will be like no other as a record-breaking 48 nations compete to lift football’s biggest prize. England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought. But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance. SunSport have got everything you need for the huge tournament LATEST NEWS - BBC release stunning immersive 3D World Cup app - Gordan Ramsay EXCLUSIVE - England stars’ boots and equipment STOLEN - How BBC vs ITV line-ups compare for the World Cup KEY INFO - World Cup 2026 full match schedule including kick-off times - World Cup 2026 full squads - World Cup 2026 rule changes - World Cup 2026 prize money VIDEO TIPS AND BETTING If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. And they drew level in the 64th minute on a stellar cross from Rezaeian headed into the goal by midfielder Mohammad Mohebi. It was a slugfest from then until the final minute, but neither side was able to convert the winning goal, ending the match in a draw. Group G now sits entirely level with Iran, New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium on one point each. Iran will face off against Belgium next on June 21 in Los Angeles while New Zealand take on Egypt the same day in Vancouver.