By Roy Denish
Iran’s World Cup campaign has been rocked after forward Mohammad Mohebi was reportedly deported from the United States following a controversial goal celebration against New Zealand. While Mohebi says the gesture was misunderstood, the incident sparked public backlash, calls for investigation, and renewed debate over player conduct, free expression, and social media’s influence on modern sport.
LOS ANGELES — Iranian national team forward Mohammad Mohebi has been deported from the United States following a controversial goal celebration during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match, according to reports.
The incident occurred at SoFi Stadium during Iran’s opening Group G match against New Zealand, which ended in a 2-2 draw after Mohebi scored a 64th-minute equalizer.
Following the goal, Mohebi performed a gesture that critics and social media users interpreted as simulating a gun, leading to immediate public backlash and an online petition calling for a FIFA investigation.
Mohebi denied any violent or political intent, stating through media outlets that the gesture was misunderstood and was intended solely as a gesture of appreciation toward the large crowd of Iranian supporters in attendance.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security intervened following the public controversy, issuing a deportation order that forced the forward to leave the country prior to Iran’s subsequent group-stage fixture against Belgium.
The Iranian football federation has not yet issued an official comment on the deportation, which leaves the national team short of a key attacking player for the remainder of the tournament.
