US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US has not advised the Iranian nationwide group that it can’t play.
Printed On 24 Apr 2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Washington has no objections to Iranian gamers taking part within the 2026 FIFA World Cup, however he added the gamers is not going to be allowed to convey individuals with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with them.
Because the United States-Israeli battle on Iran started on February 28, Iran’s participation on this summer time’s version of FIFA’s global showpiece has been doubtful as a result of all the nation’s group-stage matches are scheduled to be performed in the USA.
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“Nothing from the US has advised them they’ll’t come,” Rubio advised reporters.
“The issue with Iran could be not their athletes. It might be among the different individuals they’d need to convey with them, a few of whom have ties to the IRGC. We might not have the ability to allow them to in, however not the athletes themselves,” Rubio stated.
“They’ll’t convey a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our nation and fake that they’re journalists and athletic trainers,” Rubio added.
Washington has designated the IRGC as a “overseas terrorist organisation”.
US President Donald Trump, talking alongside Rubio, added that his administration “wouldn’t need to have an effect on the athletes”.
The World Cup is about to start on June 11 throughout the US, Mexico and Canada.
Hypothesis about Iran’s participation has been rife, with officers from each Iran and the US weighing in.
In a press release on Wednesday, nonetheless, Iran’s authorities spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated all essential preparations for the group’s participation within the match have been ensured by the Ministry of Sports activities and Youth.
An envoy for Trump, although, has been quoted as suggesting that Italy, who did not qualify for the World Cup for a 3rd straight version, ought to substitute Iran at this 12 months’s World Cup.
Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American who’s a US envoy for international relations, advised The Monetary Occasions that he made the suggestion to each Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“I’m an Italian native, and it might be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted match. With 4 titles, they’ve the pedigree to justify inclusion,” Zampolli, who has no official reference to the World Cup or Italian soccer, stated earlier this week.
Italian Sports activities Minister Andrea Abodi has rebuked the thought, saying “it isn’t acceptable … You qualify on the pitch,” whereas Economic system Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti described the idea as “shameful”.
Iran certified for a fourth successive World Cup final 12 months however, after the beginning of the battle, requested that FIFA transfer the group’s three group matches from the US to Mexico – a suggestion that was rejected.
Iran is now seemingly proceeding as deliberate.
“We’re making ready and making preparations for the World Cup, however we’re obedient to the selections of the authorities,” Iranian soccer federation President Mehdi Taj advised reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday.
