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LOS ANGELES – Iran opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, attracting a near-capacity crowd following pre-tournament concerns about ticket demand.
Inside the stadium, fans brought competing symbols of identity, with some waving the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran and others displaying the pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag, a historical symbol used by some opponents of the government.
This difference in symbolism was also visible among some fans, describing their support for the national football team as different from their political views regarding Iran’s leadership.
The divide extends beyond the stadium to the communities of Southern California, home to one of the largest Iranian populations outside of Iran.
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Iran played against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, drawing a capacity crowd of approximately 70,108, according to FIFA. (Amalia Roy)
On Sunday, ahead of Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, members of Arya FC gathered in the San Fernando Valley for a playoff match in an entertaining over-48 league.
Arya FC plays at El Camino Real Charter High School almost every Sunday. (Amalia Roy)
Co-founder Nader Adeli, who also manages and coaches the team, said Arya FC was formed about a decade ago and fields two teams. He said most of the players are immigrants of Iranian origin, and the team communicates largely in Persian on the field.
Arya FC won Sunday’s match in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw. (Amalia Roy)
Adeleye said the players focus on football during matches.
“Football brings countries together,” he said. “When we gather, we pray for peace and unity.”
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Speaking before Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, longtime Aryah FC player Vartan Golbodaghian said he supports the national team regardless of political differences.
He said, “I support my country 100%. I support my country’s team 100%.” “Government is government. Team is team. I don’t care about politics. I support my country and my players.”
Adeli said that despite living most of his life outside the country, he still feels a strong emotional connection to Iran and remains a supporter of the national team.
He said, “I have lived outside Iran for 47 years, but whenever I think about Iran I get goosebumps and I support that team.”
Team Melli is commonly used to refer to the Iran national football team.
He acknowledged that some people in the Iranian community oppose supporting the team but said he hoped reactions would change once the matches began.
“A lot of Iranian people are against it,” he said. “But I told them all, when Iran scores the first goal against New Zealand, everyone will jump out of their seats and start saying ‘hurray’ and supporting the national team.”
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Adeli said he hoped Iran could go further in the tournament than previous World Cup appearances.
“I hope Iran will have a successful journey in this tournament,” he said. “This is probably the first time that we can go beyond the group stage.”
Adeli said that most Arya FC players support the national team despite different political views.
“Most of the players I’ve spoken to are supporting Team Melli regardless of political or religious views,” he said. “In my opinion, this is the national team and I will support it.”
Arya FC is a predominantly Iranian recreational soccer club in Los Angeles. Players talked about mixed emotions watching Iran compete in the World Cup. (Amalia Roy)
Others in the community offered a different perspective.
Former Iranian soccer player Amin Jafari, who now lives in Southern California, said he believed the team should have done more to acknowledge those killed during anti-government protests.
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“Nothing is more important to Iran than the people who lost their lives,” Jafari said. “I was expecting those players to show some respect for the people who died for the country.”
Jaffrey said that some fans no longer feel connected to the team.
“The connection between the players and the people has already been lost,” he said.
The differing views reflect the broader debate among Iranians over support for the national team.
Despite those political differences, football remains a shared activity for Arya FC players.
Adeli said that during the match the players concentrate on the game.
He said, “For 90 minutes, we all put everything in our lives aside and play football.”
