In Los Angeles' Westwood neighborhood, from saffron ice cream parlors to kebab shops and Farsi bookstores, signs of the Iranian community are everywhere. The pre-1979 revolution lion-and-sun flag flies alongside portraits of opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, reflecting deep anti-government sentiment.

But as Iran's national team, Team Melli, prepares to kick off its World Cup campaign on Monday, business owner Roozbeh Farahanipour says Iranian Americans' stance is more nuanced. "The community is divided," he told Al Jazeera. Some opposition activists view the team as an extension of the Tehran regime and plan protests outside the stadium.

Many Iranian Americans just want to watch the game and set politics aside. Farahanipour, a veteran opposition activist, opposes the US-Israel war but will not support Team Melli. "When this team goes to any international field, to me, they represent the regime that kills my friends and family," he said.

Community organizer Sudi Farokhnia compared supporting the Iranian team while opposing the government to cheering for the US team while criticizing President Trump. "I'm anti-Trump, but on Friday when Team USA played, I wore my USA shirt and flag," she said.

The Trump regime barred Team Melli from staying in the US, forcing them to base in Mexico. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali warned the team would suspend play if "unofficial flags or slogans against the national team" appear. FIFA bans political symbols, but enforcement is unclear.

Bookstore owner Sam Beykzadeh denounced the FIFA ban, calling Team Melli a representative of "the regime, not the people." He predicted conflict at Monday's match. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team represents all Iranians at home and abroad, hoping football brings joy despite travel problems.

Source: www.aljazeera.com