Former National Team Players and Resistance-Affiliated Athletes Raise Awareness of Repression in Iranian Sports

LOS ANGELES – June 10, 2026 – On the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a photo exhibition, public rally, and press conference were held in Los Angeles to expose the Iranian regime’s systematic repression of athletes and its interference in sports institutions. The event brought together former Iranian national team players, champion athletes, and members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to call attention to decades of human rights violations against Iranian sports figures.

Participants included Hamid Azimi, member of the NCRI; Asghar Adibi, former Iranian national football player at the 1970 Asian Games and NCRI member; Bahram Mavaddat, member of Iran’s 1978 FIFA World Cup squad and NCRI member; footballers Yousef Mahdavi and Shahram Homayounfar; Solmaz Abouali, U.S. and world karate champion; and Milad Sharif, a champion wrestler from Los Angeles.

A photo exhibition featuring athletes who lost their lives in the struggle against the ruling religious dictatorship in Iran was displayed in front of Los Angeles City Hall. The exhibition drew the attention of journalists, local and national media outlets, and numerous visitors. It highlighted the stories of athletes who have been executed, imprisoned, killed, or otherwise persecuted by the Iranian regime because of their political views or support for freedom and democracy.

NCRI-US Press Conference Calls on FIFA to Act Against Regime Interference in Sports

During the accompanying NCRI-US press conference, speakers urged FIFA to suspend and expel the Iranian regime from international football, citing the regime’s systematic violations of athletes’ rights and its extensive political interference in sports.

🚨 At a press conference today on the eve of #FIFAWorldCup the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) urged #FIFA to eject the Iranian regime for its numerous and egrigious violation of FIFA rules, and IRGC's interference in athletic affairs.#StopExecutionsInIran pic.twitter.com/mJS90e7hH9

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) June 10, 2026

Hamid Azimi presented findings from an NCRI report alleging that Iran’s Football Federation operates under the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in violation of FIFA regulations that require national football associations to remain independent from governmental and political control. Speakers argued that Iranian athletes have been deprived of freedom of expression, equal opportunities, and independent participation in sports, while many have faced intimidation, imprisonment, and even death.

#FIFAWorldCup | June 12, 2026

Call on FIFA to Expel the Iranian Regime Due to IRGC Control and Human Rights Violations

Hamid Azimi, a member of the NCRI, presented the case that Iran’s Football Federation operates under IRGC influence—violating FIFA rules requiring independence… pic.twitter.com/wIhgKreZGC

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) June 11, 2026

Former members of Iran’s national football team shared their experiences and expressed concern over the regime’s exploitation of sports as a tool of repression and propaganda. Participants stressed that international sporting institutions should not ignore widespread human rights abuses committed against athletes in Iran.

Speaking at the conference, young wrestler Milad Sharif emphasized the aspirations of a new generation of athletes, stating: “As a young athlete, I dream of a day when I can compete freely with Iranian athletes—not as victims of a regime, but as equals, as friends, as champions.”

#FIFAWorldCup
June 12, 2026: NCRI-US Press Conference to Urge FIFA Action on Iran Ahead of World Cup 2026

“As a young athlete, I dream of a day when I can compete freely with Iranian athletes—not as victims of a regime, but as equals, as friends, as champions.” – Milad… pic.twitter.com/mI047BCXJ9

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) June 11, 2026

As global attention turns toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, participants called on FIFA and the international sports community to uphold their principles, defend athletes’ rights, and prevent the Iranian regime from using football and international sporting events to legitimize repression at home.

WATCH: Iranian opposition figures and diaspora members urged FIFA to expel Iran from the World Cup, alleging political interference and repression of athletes https://t.co/P7CCKGVKXG pic.twitter.com/rjtlLRhazD

— Reuters Sports (@ReutersSports) June 11, 2026