FIFA Ban of Shah-Era Iranian Flag From World Cup Games Let Stand

A FIFA policy prohibiting fans from bringing political symbols to World Cup games will stand, a California judge ruled.

Judge Curtis Kin denied a Los Angeles-area fan’s bid to force the soccer organization to allow the Iranian Pre-Revolutionary flag and “other peaceful political symbols” to tournament matches, plaintiffs’ attorney Shahrokh Mokhtarzadeh confirmed in an email Monday. The standard flag was used by Iran during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He was overthrown in that nation’s Islamic revolution in 1979.

The decision arrives just hours before Iran’s first game—against New Zealand—which is scheduled to kick off at SoFi stadium in nearby Inglewood at 9:00p.m. ET.

“My clients’ arguments had merit and I am presently reviewing my clients’ options to follow up,” Mokhtarzadeh said in a post-ruling email to Bloomberg Law, noting that they may revisit the issue before Iran’s June 21 game against Belgium.

Kin’s ruling came after a Los Angeles County Superior Court lawsuit filed June 10 by the LA nonprofit Institute for Voice of Liberty, which advocates for US policies that would hasten Iranian regime change, and one of its members, Sam Kermanian.

The plaintiff challenged elements of a FIFA policy, which says that it prohibits materials that are of a “political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature.”

Signaling Opposition

Kermanian had purchased tickets to two World Cup games, the complaint said. But, FIFA countered in its response that there was no record he or other members of the nonprofit made such a purchase.

“My client is a ticket holder and is attending the games. I don’t know why FIFA folks can not verify that. My understanding is contrary to FIFA’s contentions,” Mokhtarzadeh said in his emailed message, adding it was possible that the tickets were on a family member’s account.

The plaintiffs declared in the filing that they intended to display the flag, which is used to express “opposition to the current Iranian government and support for democratic reform.”

But FIFA’s policy prohibiting fans from bringing that flag to games upended Kermanian’s plans. He and other members of the nonprofit feared being excluded or removed from the stadium or having their property confiscated for violating the edict, according to the complaint.

FIFA responded that their policy was intended to ensure fan safety.

Curtis Franks, general counsel for FIFA’s corporate entity targeted in the lawsuit, said in a declaration that it “designed its policy on prohibited materials to mitigate the risk of security threats and disruptions due to the provocation of violence or confrontations between fans.”

Prior Warning

FIFA further argued that the plaintiffs manufactured an emergency by filing the lawsuit so close to the match.

The plaintiffs had previously given warning, sending letters on May 20 and June 3 demanding the global soccer organization reverse their policy prohibiting the flag, or they would file suit, according to documents attached in their legal filing.

They ultimately claimed that FIFA’s policy violated the California Constitution. Kermanian and the nonprofit sought a declaration that the organization can’t ban the flag from games, a ruling that FIFA committed viewpoint discrimination, and other relief.

Shahrokh Mokhtarzadeh PLC represents plaintiffs.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP represents the defendants.

The case is Kermanian v. FIFA, Cal. Super. Ct., No. 26STCV18475, 6/15/26.