Iran Accuses US Of Pulling Fans’ World Cup Tickets
Iran’s football federation says the United States has revoked the ticket allocation reserved for its supporters at the 2026 World Cup, accusing the co-host of shutting out Iranian fans from all three of the team’s group stage matches as a bitter diplomatic standoff bleeds into the tournament.
The Iranian Football Federation said the United States had “once again acted to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums hosting the national team’s three group stage matches,” in a statement issued on Tuesday, with less than three days remaining before the start of the tournament. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19.
FFIRI said FIFA regulations entitle each participating federation to eight percent of tickets for each match, which are distributed to supporters through official channels. According to the federation, it had already begun ticket sales for the group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, all to be held in the United States, after receiving its quota, with some fans having made arrangements to travel.
“However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters of the national team,” the statement said. The body described the move as “contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries,” and called on FIFA and organisers “to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations.” The federation said it would escalate the dispute to FIFA.
The complaint is the latest in a string of obstacles facing Iran’s participation. President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting visa issuance to a handful of countries, including Iran, which Washington has designated a state sponsor of terrorism. Iran says visa problems have barred some 15 administrative and management staff in its delegation from entering the country. Iran’s World Cup squad was granted visas to enter the United States on June 6, just 10 days before its opener, though several senior staff members remain without permission to enter.
The friction follows the broader rupture between the two countries, which have effectively remained at war since the US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. Rising tensions prompted Iran to relocate its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to the Mexican border city of Tijuana. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the United States had requested that Mexico host the Iranian side, stating Washington did not want the team to stay overnight on American soil. FIFA confirmed Iran’s base will be at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana.
Neither FIFA nor US organisers have publicly commented on the ticket accusation.
Iran open their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 16, before facing Belgium in the same city on June 21 and concluding the group stage against Egypt.