The U.S. has revoked Iran's qualification for the 2026 World Cup
The Iranian Football Federation has reported that the United States has revoked the ticket allocation previously granted to Iranian fans for matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The federation’s statement notes that less than three days before the start of the tournament, the U.S. side allegedly took measures that make it difficult for Iranian national team supporters to attend group stage matches.
“Less than three days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. has once again taken actions aimed at preventing Iranian fans from attending the stadiums where three group stage matches involving the national team will be held,” the Iranian Football Federation said in a statement.
The federation emphasized that ticket sales have already begun for the group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, which will take place in the United States.
“However, the quota allocated to the Iranian Football Federation was unexpectedly revoked, and under current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide any tickets to fans of the national team,” the organization stated.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Following the draw, the Iranian national team was placed in Group G, where its opponents will be Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
As a reminder, 48 national teams will compete in the tournament for the first time. The teams that finish in the top two spots in their groups, as well as the eight best third-place finishers, will advance to the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian national team failed to qualify for the World Cup, losing to Sweden 1-3 in the semifinal of the qualifying playoffs. Swedish forward Viktor Jökers became the hero of the match, scoring a hat trick.
As a reminder, Iraq’s star striker Aimen Hussein was detained at a U.S. airport ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. The player had to undergo hours of questioning at the border, which put his participation in the team’s preparations at risk of being delayed.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the biggest soccer event of the year. Fans from around the world will be able to follow the tournament’s matches, which will bring together the strongest national teams and determine the new world champion.
Official Tehran has accused U.S. officials of deliberately refusing to issue entry visas to key members of its national soccer team. The Iranian side made its complaints public on the eve of the World Cup, which is set to begin next week in stadiums across North America.
