Welcome to 'Tehrangeles': Watching Iran at a World Cup with L.A.'s Iranian community - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — In the 63rd minute of their opening match of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, Iran midfielder Mohammad Mohebbi leapt into the air to meet Ramin Rezaeian's wonderfully whipped cross and guide his header in off the far post, giving New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe no chance. The goal was decisive, the fourth goal in a 2-2 draw, and it sent shock waves through the 70,108-strong crowd at SoFi Stadium.

Just over 9 miles from where the match was being played in Inglewood, Iran fans at a watch party near Westwood were just as jubilant. They were gathered hosted at Meymuni Cafe to watch Iran's first match, cheering, chanting and coping with all the drama that comes when you watch your team in the World Cup.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran, and this part of the city is appropriately nicknamed «Tehrangeles.» Iranian Americans have found themselves in a conflicted position due to circumstances around the team. The U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on Feb. 28, and the national team's participation in the World Cup had been in doubt ever since. But, as Team Melli played its opener in L.A., watch parties in the area felt a little closer to home.

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«I always remind people: Persians are a very, very important part of the fabric of Los Angeles' society,» Shaheen Ferdowsi, founder of Meymuni Cafe, told ESPN. «I don't even know what L.A. would look like without Persians.

»I think something that's really cool is that here in L.A., we're so proud of being Iranian and other Iranians who come to