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LOS ANGELES – Iran opened its World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday at Los Angeles Stadium, drawing a near-capacity crowd after pre-tournament concerns about ticket demand.
Inside the stadium, fans brought competing symbols of identity, some waving the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran and others displaying the pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag, a historical emblem used by some opponents of the government.
That difference in symbolism also appeared among some fans in the way they described their support for the national soccer team and their separation from political views on Iran’s leadership.
That divide extends beyond the stadium to communities across Southern California, home to one of the largest Iranian populations outside of Iran.
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Iran played New Zealand on Monday at Los Angeles Stadium, drawing a near-capacity crowd of 70,108, according to FIFA. (Amalia Roy)
On Sunday before Iran’s opening World Cup match against New Zealand, members of Arya FC gathered in the San Fernando Valley for a playoff match in an over-48 recreational league.
Arya FC plays at El Camino Real Charter High School almost every Sunday. (Amalia Roy)
Co-founder Nader Adeli, who also manages and coaches the team, said Arya FC was formed about a decade ago and has two teams. He said most of the players are immigrants born in Iran and that the team communicates primarily in Persian on the field.
Arya FC won their match on Sunday on penalties after drawing 3-3. (Amalia Roy)
Adeli said the players focus on football during games.
“Football unites nations,” he said. “When we gather together, we pray for peace and unity.”
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Speaking ahead of Iran’s first World Cup match against New Zealand, Vartan Golbodaghians, a veteran Arya FC player, said he supports the national team regardless of political differences.
“I support my country 100%. I support my country’s team 100%,” he said. “The government is the government. The team is the team. I don’t care about politics. I support my country and my players.”
Adeli said he still feels a strong emotional connection to Iran despite having lived most of his life outside the country and remaining a supporter of the national team.
“I’ve lived 47 years outside of Iran, but I still get goosebumps when I think about Iran and support that team,” he said.
Team Melli is commonly used to refer to Iran’s national football team.
He acknowledged that some members of the Iranian community are opposed to supporting the team, but said he hopes reactions will change once the games begin.
“There are many Iranians who are against it,” he said. “But I’ve told everyone that when Iran scores the first goal against New Zealand, everyone will jump out of their seats and start saying ‘Hurrah’ and support the national team.”
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Adeli said he hopes Iran can make further progress in the tournament than in past World Cup appearances.
“I hope Iran has a successful trip in this tournament,” he said. “This is probably the first time we can get past the group stage.”
Adeli said that the majority of Arya FC players support the national team despite their different political opinions.
“The majority of the players I have spoken to support the Melli team, regardless of any political or religious ideas,” he said. “In my opinion, it is the national team and I will support it.”
Arya FC is a predominantly Iranian recreational soccer club in Los Angeles. Players spoke of mixed emotions watching Iran compete in the World Cup. (Amalia Roy)
Others in the community offered a different view.
Amin Jafari, a former soccer player in Iran who now lives in Southern California, said he believes the team should have done more to recognize people killed during anti-government protests.
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“There is nothing more important than the people who lost their lives for Iran,” Jafari said. “I expected those players to show respect for the people who died for the country.”
Jafari said some fans no longer feel connected to the team.
“The connection between the players and the people is already gone,” he said.
The different opinions reflect a broader debate among Iranians about support for the national team.
Despite these political differences, football remains a shared activity for Arya FC players.
Adeli said the players focus on the game during matches.
“For the 90 minutes, we all put everything aside in our lives and played football,” he said.