Iran’s football federation has accused the United States of revoking its allocated tickets for the 2026 World Cup group-stage matches, alleging that the decision is aimed at preventing Iranian supporters from attending games amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the federation said the move comes just days before the tournament begins and forms part of what it described as repeated attempts by the US to restrict the presence of Iranian fans at matches involving the national team.
“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 statement read.
According to the Iranian football body, FIFA rules entitle participating nations to around eight percent of tickets for each match, which are distributed through official national federations. It said it had already begun selling tickets for group games against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, all scheduled to be played in the United States, before the alleged withdrawal.
“However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters of the national team,” it added.
The federation also described the action as “contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries,” urging FIFA and tournament organisers to intervene and ensure fairness and neutrality.
Neither FIFA nor US officials have responded publicly to the allegation. The complaint adds to existing tensions after Iran previously raised concerns over visa delays affecting members of its delegation ahead of the tournament.
