Iran Warns It Could Halt World Cup Matches Over Unauthorized Flags and Anti-Team Chants

Ahmad Dunyamali, the sports minister of Iran, stated that Iran might discontinue matches should there be any presence of unauthorized flags in the stadiums, or any chants against the team during the games at the FIFA World Cup. Iran has been placed in group G. Its opening match will be against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles. It will play Belgium in Los Angeles again on June 21, before facing Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

According to Iranian media, Dunyamali said, "We have informed FIFA that if flags not officially approved are brought into stadiums where Iran will play in the World Cup or slogans against the national team are chanted, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match." The minister further stated that Iranian officials have received assurances regarding the team's final group-stage match. He said, "We have been assured that there will be no disruptive incidents in the stadium during the match against Egypt."

In April, protesters gathered outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, demanding Iran's exclusion from the World Cup. They argued that the national team represents the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than the Iranian people. Iran's match against Egypt also drew attention when the football associations of both countries reportedly urged FIFA to prohibit LGBTQ-related activities during the game. Local organizers scheduled the match as a Pride match for Seattle's Pride Weekend celebrations.