'Block the Pre-Revolution Iranian Flag': A 'Flag Game of Hide-and-Seek' at World Cup Stadiums

A "game of hide-and-seek" involving flags is repeatedly unfolding at stadiums hosting the Iranian national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report by the online media outlet Politico.

The flag in question is the "Lion and Sun," which was the national flag of Iran used during the Pahlavi dynasty before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Some Iranian-Americans have planned to bring this flag into stadiums to express their opposition to the current Iranian regime.

In response, FIFA has banned the entry of this flag into stadiums, citing its political nature.

A U.S. court has also sided with FIFA.

Although a civil group in Southern California filed a lawsuit arguing that FIFA's ban on the flag violates the freedom of speech guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, a judge at the Los Angeles (LA) County Superior Court recently ruled in favor of FIFA.

The problem is that such regulations by FIFA are difficult to enforce perfectly.

This is because fans are attempting to bring in the "Lion and Sun" emblem printed on paper or fabric of various sizes, rather than just flags.

It is reported that U.S. stadium officials are also not showing much enthusiasm for cracking down on the "Lion and Sun" flags.

During the first match between Iran and New Zealand held at an LA stadium on June 16, a stadium official approached a woman carrying a "Lion and Sun" flag and whispered a tip to her.

The official was implying that while displaying the flag is prohibited under FIFA regulations, wearing it on one's body to watch the game is permissible.

They were pointing out a loophole: if the flag is wrapped around the body, it is considered clothing and thus exempt from FIFA's ban.

Ahead of the match that day, a group in the LA area supporting Reza Pahlavi, the last crown prince of the Iranian Pahlavi dynasty who is in exile in the U.S., distributed T-shirts printed with the "Lion and Sun" emblem.

An Iranian-American who visited the stadium with a "Lion and Sun" flag said, "I will not applaud even if Iran scores a goal," adding, "This team is not a national team, but a team of the regime."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.