Iran's Mohammad Mohebi Explains Controversial World Cup Goal Celebration

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Iran footballer Mohammad Mohebi has spoken out after being accused of a controversial World Cup goal celebration after scoring against New Zealand on Monday.

Mohebi, who plies his trade with FC Rostov in the Russian Premier League, scored Iran’s second goal in a 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium in California.

Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand, either side of half-time, but the All Whites were pegged back on both occasions.

There was controversy before kick-off, with protests taking place outside the stadium, and a mixed response to Iran’s national anthem comprised of boos, whistles and cheers.

FIFA’s World Cup rule was also defied after world football’s governing body had successfully won a case to ban flags with the pre-revolution ‘Lion and Sun’ emblem on. Many of these ‘banned’ flags were seen in and around the stadium.

White House insiders believe the US President has already made up his mind following the controversial decision by FIFA

There was further controversy during the match after Mohebi scored Iran’s second equaliser of the night.

The 27-year-old has sparked outrage with a ‘gun’ celebration in which he was seen holding out two fingers, initially pointing them to the ground before waving them in the air. Watch the footage below:

Many fans have called on FIFA to examine the gesture more closely, per The Express, with the celebration coming under particular scrutiny due to the sensitivity surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament on US soil.

Amid the backlash, Mohebi has now spoken out to offer his version of events.

"First, I wanted to say thank you to all the Iranian fans that came to watch in Los Angeles. They made a great atmosphere in the game," the Iran international said, per The Mirror.

"The celebration was just coming in the mind, in the moment. I do it like this [gestures with his hands] and I wanted to do it like this for all the fans. It's just a celebration you know, and that's it."

Mohebi’s teammate Ramin Rezaeian netted Iran’s first goal of the 2026 World Cup in the 32nd minute.

The 36-year-old, who pulled his shirt over his face, acknowledged that his own celebration carried a political message.

"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."

Iran face Belgium in their second Group G fixture on June 21 before going head-to-head with Egypt five days later.

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