APTOPIX Iran Belgium WCup Soccer

Iran's Ramin Rezaeian (23) embraces Alireza Beiranvand during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Belgium and Iran in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 21, 2026.

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Iran's challenges at World Cup swirl outside draw with Belgium

Iran's challenges at World Cup swirl outside draw with Belgium

Iran took another important step toward advancing in the World Cup, but once again the off-the-field play dominated the conversation. At the conclusion of Sunday's match, at least one attendee wearing a pre-revolutionary flag shirt was detained for trying to run onto the pitch. And afterward, an Associated Press reporter observed a fan who got into a scuffle with protesters outside being loaded into an ambulance. U.S. Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said before the match that the Iranians had “tried to get somebody in yesterday” who “was supposed” to be the president of the soccer federation and had direct ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. In a statement, the soccer federation vociferously pushed back, calling that an “undeniable lie.”