Court upholds FIFA's ban on pre-revolution Iranian flag during World Cup
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 3:31 AM
Last updated Jun 16, 2026
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge upheld FIFA's ban prohibiting Iran's pre-revolutionary flag from World Cup stadiums before Iran's match against New Zealand in Los Angeles. The ruling was made by Judge Curtis A. Kin, who stated that stadiums are not public spaces for the expression of political views. Despite the decision, fans were seen outside SoFi Stadium carrying the banned flag. A lawsuit by the Institute for Voice of Liberty argued for the flag's protection as symbolic speech. Iran is scheduled to play Belgium next on June 21 and Egypt on June 26.
- •Judge Curtis A. Kin ruled against pre-revolutionary flag use at stadiums.
- •Fans were seen carrying the banned flag despite the ruling.
- •Iran plays New Zealand on June 15, with another match against Belgium on June 21.
- •The flag is linked to the Shah-led regime and current political sentiments in Iran.
- 6:12 PMYahoo Sports — Why a judge upheld FIFA's ban on Iran's pre-revolutionary flag
- 3:31 AMYahoo Sports — At Iran’s World Cup opener, a banned flag became a flashpoint at the stadium gates
- 1:26 AMYahoo Sports — Iran football fans creatively sidestep FIFA’s ban on pre-revolutionary flag at World Cup
- 1:14 AMYahoo Sports — Iranian World Cup soccer fans wave pre-revolutionary flag inside stadium despite FIFA ban
- 10:29 PMYahoo Sports — FIFA ban on pre-revolutionary Iranian flag at World Cup games upheld
"Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand carried a political edge before kickoff, and some supporters found a creative way to make their point inside the stadium. The dispute centered on Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag, a symbol used by many in the Iranian diaspora and opposed by the current Islamic Republic.
"Ahead of Iran's opening World Cup match against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium on Monday, large protests against the Iranian regime are taking place in front of the venue.
"FIFA’s desire to keep out the Lion and Sun flag was strong enough that security guards were instructed to check any flag they saw.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 16, 2026, 6:12 PMWhy a judge upheld FIFA's ban on Iran's pre-revolutionary flag
Fans had the flag confiscated during Iran's match in Los Angeles.
- Yahoo SportsJun 16, 2026, 3:31 AMAt Iran’s World Cup opener, a banned flag became a flashpoint at the stadium gates
FIFA’s desire to keep out the Lion and Sun flag was strong enough that security guards were instructed to check any flag they saw.
- Yahoo SportsJun 16, 2026, 1:26 AMIran football fans creatively sidestep FIFA’s ban on pre-revolutionary flag at World Cup
Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand carried a political edge before kickoff, and some supporters found a creative way to make their point inside the stadium. The dispute centered on Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag, a symbol used by many in the Iranian diaspora and opposed by the current Islamic Republic.
- Yahoo SportsJun 16, 2026, 1:14 AMIranian World Cup soccer fans wave pre-revolutionary flag inside stadium despite FIFA ban
Ahead of Iran's opening World Cup match against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium on Monday, large protests against the Iranian regime are taking place in front of the venue.
- Yahoo SportsJun 15, 2026, 10:29 PMFIFA ban on pre-revolutionary Iranian flag at World Cup games upheld
The `Lion and Sun' flag is seen by some as symbol of resistance to Iran's current regime
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