FIFA’s ban on Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag at World Cup match defied just hours after being upheld
2 min readJun 16, 2026 07:14 AM IST FIFA’s ban on pre-revolutionary flags of Iran at the 2026 World Cup was upheld just hours before their first match of the tournament against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium. However, visuals show that the ban has been defied with the flags being visible in the stands during the match and being seen brought into the stadium before it. The flag is similar to Iran’s official standard, except for a lion and sun that is featured at its centre. It was the subject of a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday by the Institute for Voice of Liberty and Sam Kermanian, an Iran fan intending to go to the game. The case was expedited to be heard just hours before the game on Monday morning and Judge Curtis A. Kin ruled that the ban be upheld. “There may be harm to some 2,500 staff members who have to deal with safety protocols,” Judge Curtis Kin said, according to The Athletic. “It is …








