According to France 24, Iran opened their World Cup with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles—but the match took a backseat to a deeper controversy. FIFA has banned Iran from using their pre-revolutionary flag, a decision that has sharply divided the Iranian diaspora in the city. Some see the ban as a political stance and a blow to cultural identity, while others hold different views on representation at the tournament. The flag dispute highlights the broader tensions surrounding Iran's World Cup participation, which has faced obstacles linked to US-Iran relations.

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