Iran announced on Tuesday that the United States has canceled its distribution of tickets for its World Cup group games, accusing the co-host of impeding Iranian supporters’ presence amid a severe diplomatic row.
The US has imposed a variety of bureaucratic barriers for Iran at the global football spectacle, including refusing to give visas to some of its support workers, as the two nations remain at odds after the US and Israel bombed Iran in late February.
“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 federation said in a statement.
According to the Iranian football federation, FIFA laws require it to get 8% of the tickets for each match, which are distributed to participant federations via official means.
According to the statement, Iran has already begun selling tickets for group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt — all of which will be held in the United States — after getting its quota, with some fans having already made the required 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“However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters of the national team,” it said.
The federation described the move as “contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries.”
It also urged 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 responded to the Iranian accusation.
The protest is the latest controversy over Iran’s participation in the World Cup, following visa complications that Tehran claims stopped 15 administrative and management officials from entering the United States.
Rising tensions also caused Iran to announce that it will relocate its World Cup training base to Tijuana, Mexico, rather than Tuscon, Arizona, as previously planned.
Iran will face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by Belgium in the same city on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
