FIFA faces the prospect of legal action if it proceeds with its proposal to prohibit the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag at the World Cup.
Given the geopolitical situation, Iran has endured a lengthy and complex journey to the World Cup. While the U.S. and Israel remain at odds with the nation, despite a ceasefire being in effect, concerns emerged over the squad’s security in the United States as Donald Trump fuelled anxieties.
The World Cup is due to kick off on June 11, and while the team held a send-off rally in Tehran, uncertainties remain. Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj recently stated the squad has yet to obtain visas for the competition, reports the Mirror US.
Now, FIFA risks becoming embroiled in court proceedings over proposals to outlaw the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag from World Cup stadiums throughout North America this summer.
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The Institute for Voices of Liberty has written to FIFA expressing its concerns, with legal counsel Shahrokh Mokhtarzadeh warning that FIFA’s response could result in the matter being escalated through “formal proceedings in Superior Court, State of California, or Federal Courts in California on a later date.”
Speaking towards the end of last week, Mokhtarzadeh confirmed no response had been received after three days. He added: “We are preparing to commence appropriate legal proceedings in case of attempts by FIFA to exclude the Lion and Sun flag.”
Last week, reports surfaced that official venue guidance would move to ban the flag outright. When pressed on the matter, FIFA responded by publishing its list of prohibited items, which forbids any materials of a “political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” – yet the governing body declined to clarify which aspect of the criteria the flag violates.
Unsurprisingly, the row has sparked an outraged reaction across the United States and among the Iranian diaspora.
View 2 ImagesIran are preparing for the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
The Lion and Sun flag holds profound cultural and emotional weight, as it served as Iran’s national flag before being outlawed following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Taj has previously spoken out on the flag controversy himself, arguing that Iran’s participation in the World Cup is contingent upon banning unofficial flags – including the pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag. Prior to the tournament, Trump called for Iran’s removal, and the country fired back with its own demand to see the USA expelled from the 2026 competition.
Just weeks ago, Trump declared he was “OK” with Iran featuring in the World Cup. Iran even sought to relocate its matches to Mexico, a move warmly received by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Earlier this week, FIFA confirmed that Iran’s training base had been moved to Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Mexico. Iran had originally been allocated Tucson, Arizona, as their World Cup base. Iran are due to play all three of their group stage fixtures at the World Cup on American soil, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
The Iranians will then take on Belgium once more at SoFi Stadium on June 21, before wrapping up their Group G commitments against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
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