Iran has lashed out at the United States just days before the 2026 World Cup, accusing Washington of blocking its fans from attending matches.
The Iranian Football Federation says U.S. authorities withdrew ticket allocations that should have gone to Iranian supporters, leaving many stranded after making travel plans through FIFA’s official process.
In its statement, the federation described the move as an attempt to keep Iranian fans out of stadiums hosting the national team’s group stage games.
Under FIFA rules, each country is entitled to eight per cent of tickets for its matches, but Iran insists this right has been denied.
Officials called on FIFA to defend fairness and neutrality, warning that the decision undermines the spirit of international sport.
Iran’s team is scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before facing Egypt in Seattle. But preparations have already been marred by political tension.
The squad was forced to abandon its training camp in Arizona and relocate to Tijuana, Mexico, after visa problems.
Players and staff must now travel in and out of the U.S. on match days, and several key team members have been denied visas altogether.
The controversy widened when a Somali referee, chosen among FIFA’s 52 officials for the tournament, was reportedly refused entry into the U.S. and sent back to Istanbul.
For Iranian fans, the ban is more than a bureaucratic setback — it is a bitter blow to their hopes of cheering their team on the world stage. With politics intruding on football yet again, what should be a celebration of the sport has turned into another flashpoint in the strained relationship between Iran and the United States.
You can explore more about Iran–U.S. World Cup tensions, FIFA ticket allocation rules, or visa issues for World Cup teams to see how this dispute may unfold.
