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‘Part of our culture': Iran defying hardships and dreaming of first World Cup knockout round appearance
By Andrew Greif | NBC News at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
After Iran played to a draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its second of the World Cup in as many matches, the team’s coach began his postmatch assessment by backing up six months.
Among the many elements of Iranian society thrown into disarray in late February by joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel...
Key takeaway Among the many elements of Iranian society thrown into disarray in late February by joint strikes by the U.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The Iranian national soccer team's determination to succeed in the World Cup, despite facing significant hardships, resonates with the large Iranian-American community in Los Angeles . Many locals have been following the team's journey, and their perseverance in the face of adversity has become a source of pride. The team's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has been vocal about the challenges they have faced, including visa issues and travel restrictions, which have affected their preparation and participation in the tournament. As the team prepares for its final group play match, the community is rallying behind them, hoping they will make history by advancing to the knockout round for the first time. The SoFi Stadium, where Iran played to a draw on Sunday, has become a focal point for the community's support, with many fans attending the match and cheering on their team.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After Iran played to a draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its second of the World Cup in as many matches, the team’s coach began his postmatch assessment by backing up six months.
Among the many elements of Iranian society thrown into disarray in late February by joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrew Greif | NBC News at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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