Why Iran fans booed and turned their back during national anthem against Egypt at World Cup

Iran’s national anthem was booed by sections of supporters against Egypt with some fans opting to turn their back during the pre-match ceremony.

Iran will face an anxious wait to find out if they have reached the World Cup knockout stage after drawing against Egypt, seeing a late-winning goal disallowed in heart-breaking circumstances.

The eight best third-placed teams will progress and Iran’s chances of finishing in the top eight remains strong despite their fate resting on the remaining group games taking place on Saturday.

Iran’s national anthem was booed during their World Cup opening match and boos could also be heard as the anthem was played in Seattle against Egypt, with some fans opting to turn their back in protest.

In the game that was dubbed the ‘Pride Match’ by local organisers, boos rang out around Lumen Field while the anthem associated with the current Islamic Republic was played.

A study by Iran International claims only 20% of Iranians want the current Islamic Republic to remain in power. 40% of the population views regime change as a necessary precondition for reform. A further 24% want a different, broader political transition.

US authorities had banned pre-revolution Iranian flags from being brought into stadiums for the World Cup but many of those flags were pictured against Egypt, supporters going unchallenged by stewards.

Iranians booed the Islamic Republic's anthem and turned their backs as it played during Iran - Egypt Match
pic.twitter.com/GIkd65W6Rk

— 🇮🇷 مایه خال (@Mayekhal) June 27, 2026

After the game against Belgium, Iran star Alireza Jahanbakhsh addressed the boos from their own fans.

He said: “We take both. I think there are good days, bad days for every team, and also, like I said, we play for all the Iranians in Iran, outside Iran, with whatever ideology, whatever preferences they have, and we make sure to make them happy, because I'm sure at the end of the day, they love Team Melli from the heart, and we respect them all.

“And I think the most important thing we can do as a team is to perform well, to make sure we put our heart on the pitch, and to do everything to make them happy.

"And for the rest, I think that's something we have to respect people, whatever idea they have, and like I said, the best thing we can do is to play football, and hopefully we can do it in the best way possible.”

Mehdi Taremi slams Gianni Infantino for Iran treatment at the World Cup

Iran were forced to travel back to Mexico following their final group game after moving their base camp to Tijuana after the military conflict with the United States continued.

The squad and staff have faced issues travelling during the tournament and captain Mehdi Taremi has slammed Infantino and FIFA for not improving their situation.

He said after the Egypt game: “It’s a disaster World Cup; a disaster.

“I mean, FIFA, they have to solve every problem here but unfortunately they could not solve it since the beginning. Mr Infantino came to our changing room after the first game against New Zealand and said, ‘It’s just the beginning…’ but the group stage finishes tomorrow.

“We don’t have our logistic people here — they don’t have a visa. How is it possible we always have to travel from Tijuana? We love the people in Tijuana. We love Mexico. They are humble people and we love them but as a professional player in a professional competition, it’s not right.

“It’s not fair,” he continued. “Our opinion is, it’s not fair. Is it fair for FIFA? OK, good to them. But it’s not fair. Who wants to help us? If they want us to be out, then OK; let’s get out. But that’s not fair. We don’t have recovery or logistic people to help us. We always complain about these things but no one helps, no one.”