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An Iranian American woman draped in the Lion and Sun flag stands in a packed FIFA World Cup 2026 stadium in Los Angeles, surrounded by signs reading "Woman Life Freedom," "We Cheer for Iran, Not for the Regime," and "40,000+ Lives Lost. Not Forgotten." The Los Angeles skyline and a "Tehrangeles" street sign are visible in the background at sunset.

An Iranian American woman draped in the Lion and Sun flag stands in a packed FIFA World Cup 2026 stadium in Los Angeles, surrounded by signs reading "Woman Life Freedom," "We Cheer for Iran, Not for the Regime," and "40,000+ Lives Lost. Not Forgotten." The Los Angeles skyline and a "Tehrangeles" street sign are visible in the background at sunset.

More Than a Game: What the 2026 World Cup Means to Many Iranians

For most countries, the FIFA World Cup is a celebration of sport and national pride. For millions of Iranians in the diaspora, it is something far more complicated. These matches carry the weight of exile, grief, and an unbreakable love for a nation they carry in their hearts across thousands of miles and decades of history.

Donya Ziraksari

Jun 154 min read

We Are Cyrus is a nonprofit group dedicated to boosting the civic voice and political activity of Iranian-Americans. © 2026 Cyrus . All rights reserved.

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