No, Iranian Soccer Player Mohammed Mohebi Was Not Deported from the U.S. After Controversial Gesture

Recent claims regarding Iranian soccer player Mohammed Mohebi being deported from the United States following a controversial gesture during a FIFA World Cup match have been debunked. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that these rumors are false.

The speculation began circulating on social media shortly after the June 15, 2026, match between Iran and New Zealand, where each team scored two goals. A post by the account @TheBallZoneX on June 16, 2026, falsely asserted, “🚨 BREAKING: Iran player Mohammed Mohebi has been deported back to Iran after his gun celebration vs New Zealand.” This claim has been thoroughly refuted by the DHS.

During the match held in Los Angeles, Mohebi celebrated scoring Iran's second goal with a gesture where he made a gun shape with his fingers. While some interpreted this as a message to Iranian fans, Mohebi later clarified that it was simply a celebration of his goal. Notably, the match was marked by protests from Iranian American fans, who displayed flags from the previous regime in opposition to the current Iranian government.

A DHS spokesperson addressed the rumors on June 17, stating, "This is a hoax. No player from the Iranian soccer team has been deported." The original posts that fueled the speculation were traced back to accounts not associated with credible news organizations.

In the realm of sports and social media, misinformation can spread rapidly, making it crucial for fans to verify claims through reliable sources.