Lion and Sun Flag Sparks FIFA-Ban Clash at World Cup in LA

At the World Cup in Los Angeles, FIFA defended its ban on Iran’s pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag inside stadiums, a rule a California court upheld after a challenge by an anti-regime group. Enforcement has been uneven, with fans finding loopholes (such as wrapping the flag as clothing) and protesters displaying the symbol outside venues. The flag has become a focal point in debates over political expression and Iranian identity on the world stage, amid broader World Cup coverage and Los Angeles’ Olympic-stage preparations.