Iran accuses US of revoking World Cup ticket quota amid diplomatic standoff

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has accused the United States of unilaterally withdrawing its allocated ticket quota for Iranian supporters attending the 2026 World Cup group stage matches. In a statement released on Tuesday, the federation asserted that the US co-host had acted to obstruct fan attendance with less than three days remaining before the tournament’s commencement, leaving the organisation unable to distribute tickets despite having already initiated sales.

FFIRI cited FIFA regulations which mandate an 8 percent ticket allocation per match for participating federations. The federation stated that this quota, intended for distribution through official channels, had been granted but subsequently revoked in an “unexpected move.” Consequently, the Iranian body declared it could no longer provide any tickets to supporters for the group stage fixtures against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, all of which are scheduled to be held in the United States.

The dispute arises against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions and what the FFIRI described as a state of war between the two nations following the February 28 attack. The federation characterised the ticket withdrawal as contrary to the principles of neutrality and equality governing international competitions, calling on FIFA and tournament organisers to uphold established regulations and ensure conditions for Iranian supporters.

This latest development follows a pattern of entry restrictions affecting the Iranian delegation. Approximately 15 administrative and management staff members have previously been refused US visas, prompting the national team to relocate its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, citing security concerns and bureaucratic hurdles. Neither FIFA nor the US tournament organisers have publicly commented on the allegations.

Iran is scheduled to open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by a match against Belgium in the same city on June 21. The group stage concludes with a fixture against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The federation’s complaint highlights the ongoing friction between sporting governance and geopolitical tensions as the tournament begins.