An Iranian national team player sparked a controversy with his goal celebration at the 2026 World Cup

Iranian midfielder Mohammad Mohabi found himself in the spotlight due to a controversial goal celebration during the match against New Zealand at the start of the 2026 World Cup. The player’s goal in the 64th minute saved the team from defeat and ended the match with a 2–2 tie. 

During his celebration, Mohabi gestured with his hands and made a motion that some fans interpreted as a “gun,” sparking speculation about a political subtext. The player himself denied any hidden meaning and described his actions as purely an emotional reaction. The soccer player explained that he simply wanted to thank the Iranian fans in Los Angeles for the wonderful atmosphere, and that the celebration itself came to him spontaneously.

DISGUSTING.
Mohammad Mohebi scores and immediately makes a finger-gun gesture directly at Iranians waving the Lion & Sun flag in the stands.
Not a celebration. A direct threat.
The Islamic Republic’s puppet on the field just showed exactly who he serves, and it’s not… pic.twitter.com/8lIXJJcvcy

— AlexanderSobhani (@xandersobhani) June 16, 2026