Iran's Mohebi denies gun gesture after controversial celebration in World Cup draw with New Zealand

Mohammad Mohebi has spoken out after his goal celebration in Iran’s 2-2 World Cup draw with New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles sparked accusations that he had imitated a gun gesture.

The 27-year-old FC Rostov forward scored in the 64th minute to help Iran salvage a point in an entertaining Group Stage clash, with the Iranians twice coming from behind against the Oceania side. But the manner of his celebration drew immediate scrutiny: Mohebi placed two fingers towards his arm before extending two fingers on his right hand and wagging them in the air, a sequence that prompted fans and pundits to question whether he was mimicking firing a weapon.

The incident has prompted calls for an investigation, with Iran’s participation in a tournament held on United States soil adding a layer of political sensitivity to the controversy. Mohebi addressed the matter directly in a post-match media appearance alongside Iran captain Mehdi Taremi, though the full details of his explanation were not available at the time of publication.

Iran’s point from the draw leaves their World Cup 2026 campaign finely poised, with the twice-from-behind result demonstrating both resilience and attacking intent against a New Zealand side that had twice taken the lead.