Iran blames ‘political considerations’ after US revokes World Cup ticket allocation
Iran’s Football Federation blamed “non-sporting and political considerations” after the United States revoked its allocation of tickets for Team Melli’s World Cup group-stage matches, accusing the co-host of obstructing the attendance of Iranian supporters amid a bitter diplomatic row.
“With less than three days remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup, the United States has once again acted to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums hosting the national team’s three group-stage matches,” the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Depriving Iranian fans of access to their legally allocated and officially designated ticket quota runs counter to the spirit of international competitions and the principle of equal treatment among participating nations. The move raises serious questions about the influence of non-sporting and political considerations on the organization of the world's biggest football event.
“Iranian football fans have consistently been among the national team's greatest assets at international tournaments, attending matches while respecting regulations and upholding professional standards. It is therefore expected that their legitimate rights will be respected in the same manner as those of supporters from other countries,” the statement added.
The United States has presented several bureaucratic hurdles for Iran at the global football showpiece, including refusing to issue visas to some members of its support staff, as the two countries have effectively remained at war since the attack on Iranian territory on February 28.
The Iranian football body said FIFA regulations entitle participating federations to an allocation of eight percent of tickets for each match, which are distributed to supporters through official channels. According to the statement, FFIRI had already begun ticket sales for group-stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt — all to be played in the United States — after receiving its allocation, with some fans having already made the necessary travel arrangements. “However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters of the national team,” it said.
FFIRI also called on FIFA and tournament organizers “to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness and established regulations, and to provide the necessary conditions for Iranian supporters.”
Neither FIFA nor the US organizers have publicly commented on the issue. The complaint is the latest dispute surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup, following visa issues that have prevented around 15 administrative and management staff members in its delegation from entering the United States.
Rising tensions also prompted Iran to move its World Cup training base to the Mexican border city of Tijuana from Tucson, Arizona, as originally planned.
Iran opens its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium in the same city on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.