Iran kicks off first World Cup match in Los Angeles as protests continue

islamic republic of iran has officially opened its domain transfuse against young seeland in Los Angeles, and it's still buzzing outside SoFi Stadium.

Soccer fans late to the game must still walk past a large crowd chanting "down with Islamic Republic terrorists" as a heavy security and police presence surrounds them.

Others who couldn't score tickets are lingering outside the stadium, watching the match on their phones.

Down the street, police have closed off a street for a designated protest zone, where hundreds more are gathering before and during the match.

This isn't an ordinary match. It's the first time Team Iran will play on U.S. Soil against the backdrop of the ongoing war. In fact, this is the first time in World Cup history that a host country has been actively at war with a qualifying nation.

It's also happening in a city with a population of more than 230,000 Iranians, according to the Pew Research Center — considered the highest concentration in the world outside Iran.

War, sports collide as Iran's World Cup kicks off in Los Angeles

Wearing a t-shirt with a lion and the sun — the symbol shown on the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag that now represents resistance against the Islamic regime — Fattaneh Hakimi is helping organize the protest.

For Hakimi and others protesting, it's difficult to separate the Iranian national team from the state. She said their message is simple.

"We want to show the world what we want: we want freedom for Iran. We don't want the Islamic Republic of Iran to stay in Iran anymore," said Hakimi, who arrived in the U.S. With her son as refugees from Iran in 2001.

She bought last-minute tickets to the match tonight in hopes that she can wear her T-shirt inside, despite FIFA's plans to continue its ban on the flag and related apparel in World Cup stadiums, claiming the symbolism violates its code of conduct.

"This is what we want to show the world. This is a Persian Iranian flag."

Ali Razian flew in from Toronto last night to watch the match with his sister and niece, who came in from San Diego. He has lived in Canada for 25 years, and couldn't resist the trip to Los Angeles to attend the match.

He's here cheering on Team Melli — "national team" in Farsi — but there's no trace of it. He isn't wearing a jersey, or even the team colours.

"I didn't bring anything because I'm afraid that I can't bring it inside," he said.

Other than answering more questions than expected at customs, Razian said he didn't have trouble crossing the border into the U.S. But that wasn't the case for everyone. Some of his friends who are in the military were turned away at the border and couldn't make the match, he said.

It's part of why he has mixed feelings about watching his country take the world stage tonight. His parents, brothers and sister also still live in Iran, and he said the cost of living there has surged.

"We hope that Iran wins the game, but we are worried about the people in Iran."

As he enters the stadium today, Razian said he will be thinking about his family, and hoping the U.S. And Iran soon sign their deal to end the war.

Before heading into the fan zone, 32-year-old Aaron Macedo observed the protests with a group of friends.

He's an aspiring actor living in Los Angeles who won the tickets through FIFA's World Cup ticket lottery. He calls himself "neutral" — he isn't Iranian, and he isn't cheering for either of the teams playing tonight, and is instead here for the game and the energy.

But as much as he wants to focus on the sport, Macedo said he can't ignore the politics behind this particular match.

"It's kind of forced on you now, right?"

Macedo said he sees the World Cup as a platform for people from all countries who have qualified to express themselves.

"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and this is a place for them to be able to share and give their opinions, whether it's one side or the other."

The match kicks off at 6 p.m. Local time.

Reporter

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