LOS ANGELES — A wave of mixed emotions swept through SoFi Stadium during Sunday's World Cup match between Iran and Belgium, reflecting the complex relationship Iranian American fans have with their homeland's government and its national soccer team.

As the Iranian national anthem played, a chorus of boos echoed from the stands, a stark contrast to the cheers that later erupted as the Iranian players took to the field. The display of discontent wasn't directed at the athletes, but rather at the regime they are perceived to represent. Many fans, including those who risked FIFA's prohibition by waving the pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag, used the global stage to express their political dissent.

One such fan, Majid from Seattle, shared his thoughts amid the crowd's fervor. "Iran has been held hostage for the past 47 years by a regime that promotes terrorism and chaos in the region," he explained. "For the team, we support them wholeheartedly. But the anthem, the flag — those represent the government, not the people or our heritage."

This sentiment was palpable throughout the match, which ended in a scoreless draw. While the anthem was met with jeers, every successful play by the Iranian team was celebrated with enthusiastic applause and cheers, demonstrating the fans' clear distinction between the government and the players.

The match took place against a backdrop of ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations aimed at resolving a months-long conflict, underscoring the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the event. It was the second of two matches played by Iran in Los Angeles, a city that hosts the largest Iranian community outside of Iran. Both games concluded without a winner, yet the spirit of the Iranian American fans never wavered.

Their protests at SoFi Stadium highlighted a community caught between their cultural pride and a vehement opposition to their country's current leadership, a dynamic that continues to unfold even as the world's eyes are on the football field.