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Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Iran threatens to stop World Cup games if faced with unauthorized flags or slogans
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Iran threatens to halt its matches at the World Cup if unauthorized flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, Iranian media reports, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, following criticism of the team’s presence at the tournament.
The World Cup begins tomorrow, with Iran opening its Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. The team next faces Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before taking on Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
“We have informed FIFA that if unofficial flags are brought or slogans against the national team are chanted in the stadiums where Iran plays in the World Cup, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match,” Donyamali said yesterday, according to Iranian media. “We have been assured that no disruptive incidents will occur in the stadium during the match against Egypt.”
Iran and Egypt’s football associations had previously urged FIFA to prevent any LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities during the Seattle match. The fixture had been designated by local organizers as a “Pride Match” to coincide with Seattle’s Pride weekend.
In April, protesters gathered outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver called for Iran to be banned from the tournament, saying the team represents the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than the Iranian people.
The Times of Israel Community.