Iran participant accused of ‘gun celebration’ after New Zealand World Cup controversy
Iran’s Mohammad Mohebi scored to earn his side a draw against New Zealand in the 2026 World Cup, but his goal celebration has sparked a social media backlash with fans accusing him of making a provocative ‘gun gesture’
Mohammad Mohebi has been accused of a ‘gun celebration’(Image: 2026 Shaun Clark/ISI Photos)
Iran’s goalscorer Mohammad Mohebi is facing accusations of performing a ‘gun celebration’ during his country’s draw against New Zealand. Mohebi netted in the 64th minute to secure a draw for his team in their opening World Cup match.
The 27 year old midfielder has attracted criticism for his celebration, which involved placing two fingers towards his arm, then extending two fingers on his right hand and waving them in the air. The gesture has drawn attention due to the contentious nature of Iran’s participation in the tournament in the United States.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with several claims suggesting Mohebi’s action was provocative.
It remains uncertain whether the gesture was meant to mimic a firearm, and FIFA have been contacted for a response.
Fellow scorer, Ramin Rezaeian, conceded that his celebration was political after he scored Iran’s first equaliser of the match. Rezaeian covered his face with his shirt as he sprinted towards fans.
However, he declined to discuss it after the game. “It’s something political (his goal celebration),” he said.
“I don’t want to talk about that.
“We are here to answer football questions. If there is a problem between us (the Iranian people), it is between us.”
The squad witnessed their national anthem jeered ahead of the clash with New Zealand, while fans also brandished pre-revolutionary flags in defiance of the regime currently holding power. Iranian supporters in the crowd displayed the Shir o Khorshid and were probably made up of the nation’s diaspora community in Los Angeles.
The Metropolitan Area houses the biggest concentration of Iranians due to the Iranian Diaspora following the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The precise number of people of Iranian heritage remains unclear, but it is believed to range anywhere between 200,000 to 700,000.
The flag was prohibited by FIFA, and footage also revealed one being seized during the encounter with New Zealand.
