One of the most shocking moments was the attack on an Iranian fan who was dragged by a man trying to snatch her team's flag.
The incident occurred amidst a gathering of a group of people opposed to the Tehran regime near the stadium where the World Cup match was taking place. Many of the protesters carried Israeli flags and critical messages against the Iranian authorities, coinciding with the presence of Asian team supporters attending the match.
The images of the attack have sparked a strong reaction on social media, becoming one of the most discussed episodes of the World Cup day. Although most protests were peaceful, there were several verbal confrontations and some isolated altercations between protesters and fans wearing Iran jerseys.
The U.S. authorities had reinforced security measures following incidents in previous matches involving the Iranian team. Surveillance was particularly intense due to the political tensions surrounding Iran's participation in the tournament and protests organized by members of the Iranian diaspora in the United States.
The controversy also reached the institutional level. The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, stated that several individuals allegedly linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had tried to obtain authorization to enter the country with the sports delegation. The Iranian Football Federation vehemently denied these accusations and announced that they are considering filing a formal complaint with FIFA.
The 2026 World Cup is once again marked by non-sporting tensions, with incidents reflecting the complex political situation surrounding Iran even far from its borders.