NCRI-US plans Los Angeles event pressing FIFA to expel Iran over sports repression

Athletes and the National Council of Resistance of Iran U.S. Office will hold a June 10 press conference and photo exhibition in Los Angeles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event will urge FIFA to suspend and expel Iran’s football federation, citing regime interference, athlete repression and alleged IRGC control of sports institutions.

Why it matters: - The Los Angeles event aims to turn World Cup attention toward Iran’s treatment of athletes and its role in international sports. - Organizers say FIFA should act because Iran’s football system is tied to state repression, which could affect the federation’s standing in global competition. - Iranian American community members in Southern California plan to join a march after the press conference.

What happened: - The National Council of Resistance of Iran U.S. Office, or NCRI-US, announced a press conference and photo exhibition for Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. - The event is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PDT on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. - Organizers are calling on FIFA to suspend and expel the Iranian regime from international football. - The event will feature former members of Iran’s national football team and other athletes sharing personal experiences. - A march will follow the press conference.

The details: - Speakers will present evidence of direct interference by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran’s football and sports institutions. - The photo exhibition will highlight athletes who were killed by the regime. - Participants will carry portraits of athletes killed or executed, including people killed during Iran’s January 2026 uprising. - The event is intended to spotlight alleged violations of FIFA’s governing statutes. - The organizers identified the media contact as media@ncrius.org. - Alireza Jafarzadeh is listed as the NCRI-US contact, with phone number +1 202-747-7847.

Between the lines: - The timing suggests the organizers want to use the global visibility of the World Cup to increase pressure on FIFA. - The focus on former national team players gives the campaign a public face and may strengthen its credibility with international sports audiences. - The event blends advocacy, remembrance and political messaging in a way designed to frame the issue as both a human rights and governance problem.

What’s next: - The press conference and exhibition will take place in Los Angeles on June 10. - The following march is expected to amplify the group’s demand that FIFA take action against Iran’s football federation. - The campaign will likely seek wider media coverage as the World Cup begins.