Iran threatens to stop World Cup games if faced with unauthorised flags or slogans

The World Cup begins on Thursday, with Iran opening their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los ​Angeles on June 15. They next face Belgium at the same ​venue on June 21 before taking on Egypt in Seattle ⁠on June 26.

"We have informed FIFA that if unofficial flags are ​brought or slogans against the national team are chanted in the stadiums ​where Iran plays in the World Cup, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match," Donyamali said on Tuesday, according to Iranian media.

"We have ​been assured that no disruptive incidents will occur in the stadium during ​the match against Egypt."

Iran and Egypt’s football associations had previously urged FIFA to prevent ‌any ⁠LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities during the Seattle match.

The fixture had been designated by local organisers as a "Pride Match" to coincide with Seattle’s Pride weekend.

In April, protesters gathered outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver called for Iran ​to be banned from ​the tournament, ⁠saying the team represents the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than the Iranian people.

The Iranian team has also faced organisational ​challenges, with Iran’s football federation saying its ticket allocation was ​withdrawn days ⁠before the tournament, leaving supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team’s matches.

The team, currently training in Tijuana, Mexico, will ⁠be able ​to enter the U.S. the day before each ​match, the Department of Homeland Security said, amid a conflict that has added a geopolitical dimension to ​the tournament.