A rumor that surfaced in early June claimed that Mohammad Mohebi, an Iranian forward, had been deported from the United States after flashing a gun‑shaped gesture during a World Cup match. The story quickly gained traction on platforms such as Facebook and X, where users shared a grainy image that appeared to capture the alleged incident.
The Rumor's Origins
Snopes traced the claim to a satirical account on X that labels its posts as jokes. The accompanying picture was later identified as likely AI‑generated, further eroding the narrative's credibility.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that no deportation order was issued against Mohebi, and the player remains free to travel as part of his team’s World Cup preparations. Iran’s squad continued its schedule, with a match against Belgium slated for June 21.
The episode is not isolated; Snopes has previously debunked similar fictional sports‑related stories, highlighting a pattern of sensationalist content that exploits social media’s rapid sharing mechanisms.
While the false narrative sparked brief outrage, swift fact‑checking by reputable outlets such as The Associated Press, Reuters and OpenAI helped contain the spread, underscoring the importance of verifying sources before amplifying unverified claims.