Iran Condemns 2026 World Cup Ticket Decision

Iran’s football federation has accused organisers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup of unfair treatment after losing its allocation of supporter tickets for the group stage of the tournament.

The competition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on Thursday. Iran are due to face New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June in Los Angeles before taking on Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

According to the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), FIFA regulations entitle each participating federation to receive eight per cent of match tickets for distribution to supporters. The federation said it had already started selling tickets before being informed that the allocation had been withdrawn.

The decision has left some Iranian fans facing uncertainty after already making travel plans for the tournament.

“Depriving Iranian supporters of access to their lawful and official allocation of tickets is an action contrary to the spirit of governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries,” the FFIRI said in a statement.

“This development raises serious questions about the interference of non-sporting and political considerations in the organisation of the world’s biggest football event.”

The federation also urged FIFA to intervene. “The FFIRI also called on Fifa ‘to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations’.”

The latest dispute adds to a series of complications surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and heightened security concerns.

In May, Iran relocated its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana in Mexico, claiming US authorities were unwilling to host the team. Under the terms of their visas, players and staff are required to enter and leave the United States on matchdays for each group fixture.

Earlier this month, the FFIRI alleged that 15 administrative officials linked to the national team had been denied visas by US authorities, describing the affected individuals as essential members of the backroom staff.

The federation had previously submitted a list of conditions to FIFA regarding its participation, including entry approval for players, coaches and officials who had completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iranian players would be welcomed at the tournament but warned that individuals connected to the IRGC could face travel restrictions.

Naija News reports that Iran’s strained relationship with tournament hosts has also been evident elsewhere. The country was the only participant absent from FIFA’s annual congress in Vancouver in April after a delegation led by FFIRI president Mehdi Taj reportedly refused entry into Canada.