Iranian World Cup soccer fans wave pre-revolutionary flag inside stadium despite FIFA ban

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Iranian soccer fans at SoFi Stadium waved the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag during their team's World Cup opener against New Zealand, defying FIFA's prohibition on the symbol. The flag, stripped of the Islamic Republic's emblem, has become a rallying point for regime opponents both inside and outside the stadium, where large protests unfolded ahead of kickoff. FIFA previously banned the flag after Iranian fans displayed it during qualification matches, but Monday's act suggests the ban remains difficult to enforce. The incident underscores how World Cup venues can become flashpoints for geopolitical tensions, with sports providing a visible stage for political dissent.