Iranian gamers and assist employees received US visas and landed in Mexico on Sunday for the World Cup, however now followers are doubtful.
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Iran’s soccer federation has stated the US has revoked its allocation of tickets for its crew’s World Cup group video games, accusing the cohost of obstructing the attendance of Iranian supporters underneath the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row.
“With lower than three days remaining till the beginning of the 2026 World Cup … the US has as soon as once more acted to hinder the presence of Iranian supporters on the stadiums internet hosting the nationwide crew’s three group stage matches,” FFIRI stated in an announcement on Tuesday.
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The US has introduced a number of bureaucratic hurdles for Iran on the international soccer spectacle, together with refusing to situation visas for a few of its assist employees, as the 2 nations have successfully remained at conflict since their February 28 assault on the nation.
The Iranian soccer physique stated FIFA rules dictate that it needs to be allotted 8 % of tickets for every match, that are given to collaborating federations for distribution to their supporters by official channels.
In line with the assertion, FFIRI had already begun ticket gross sales for group stage matches in opposition to New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt – all to be held within the US – after receiving its quota, with some followers having already made obligatory preparations.
“Nonetheless, in an surprising transfer, the allocation granted to the Iranian Soccer Federation has been withdrawn, and underneath the present circumstances, the federation is unable to supply even a single ticket to supporters of the nationwide crew,” it stated.
FFIRI described the transfer as “opposite to the spirit governing worldwide competitions and the precept of equality amongst collaborating nations”.
It additionally known as on FIFA and event organisers “to uphold the ideas of neutrality, equity, and established rules, to supply the mandatory situations for Iranian supporters”.
Neither FIFA nor US organisers have publicly commented on the Iranian accusation.
The criticism is the most recent dispute associated to Iran’s participation within the World Cup, following visa points that Tehran says have prevented some 15 administrative and administration employees in its delegation from coming into the US.
Rising tensions additionally prompted Iran to announce that it was transferring its World Cup coaching base to the Mexican border metropolis of Tijuana from Tucson within the US state of Arizona, as initially deliberate.
Iran open their marketing campaign in opposition to New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, earlier than going through Belgium in the identical metropolis on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
