Why Did Fans Wave Banned Iranian Flags During Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 Clash Against Belgium?
Fans waved Iran's banned pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flags during the country's 0-0 FIFA World Cup draw with Belgium in Los Angeles, defying FIFA's ban on politically charged symbols. The flag, once Iran's national emblem before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has become a symbol of opposition to the Islamic Republic, reflecting the deep political divisions within the Iranian diaspora.