Home / SportsJapan TimesSportsJapan Times·Jun 16, 2026·1 min readSome wave protest flags, others cheer as Iran plays World Cup openerThe run-up to the match had been one of extraordinary drama off the pitch, with the team playing on U.S. soil barely 24 hours after a peace deal was announced to end the war.View original source — Japan Times ↗ShareCopy linkShare on XShare on FacebookRelated storiesTimes of IsraelSportsJun 16, 2026 · 1 minIranian team draws boos, cheers at US World Cup debut as politics overshadows sportsTimes of IsraelBBCSportsJun 16, 2026 · 1 minIranian-Americans protest against Iran team at World CupBBCThe PunchSportsJun 9, 2026 · 1 min48 hours to World Cup opening ceremony, protesters block road to Mexican stadiumThe PunchTimes of IndiaSportsJun 16, 2026 · 1 minFIFA World Cup: Iran rally twice amid geopolitical turmoil to deny New ZealandTimes of India
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