Judge Upholds FIFA's Ban on Iran's Old Flag at World Cup Games

An emergency hearing was held regarding the presence of Iran's old flag at World Cup games ahead of the tournament opener on June 16, 2026, in Los Angeles. A lawsuit was filed by the Institute for Voice of Liberty and an Iranian fan, claiming that displaying the 'lion and sun' flag, which represents the previous regime before the 1980 Islamic Revolution, constitutes freedom of speech. FIFA had banned the flag, and Los Angeles Judge Curtis A. Kin upheld this decision. Judge Kin stated, 'Free speech is incredibly important... but it is not without limitation, such as private actor, on private property.' He noted the potential burden on approximately 2,500 staff members related to safety protocols. During the hearing, attorney Shahrokh Mokhtarzadeh argued that fans should be allowed to display various flags, including those associated with controversial groups. FIFA maintains that political materials are prohibited, categorizing the old flag as political in nature. Despite the ban, some flags were reportedly seen inside SoFi Stadium. Iran's participation in the World Cup has sparked controversy amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Following the hearing, Iran played New Zealand to a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles, with their next match scheduled against Belgium on June 18, 2026.