US Revokes World Cup Tickets for Iranian Supporters

The Iranian football federation reported on Tuesday that the United States has revoked its allocation of tickets for Iranian supporters for the 2026 World Cup group matches. This decision comes amid accusations that the U.S. is obstructing the attendance of Iranian fans, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The Iranian federation stated that FIFA regulations dictate that eight percent of tickets should be allocated to participating federations for distribution to their supporters. Despite Iran having begun ticket sales for matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, the unexpected withdrawal of ticket allocation has left the federation unable to provide any tickets to its supporters.

The federation described this move as contrary to the spirit of international competition principles. Additionally, Iran has faced visa issues that prevented 15 administrative staff from entering the U.S., prompting the decision to relocate its World Cup training base to Tijuana, Mexico, instead of Tucson, Arizona.

Iran's first match is scheduled against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.