Iran says United States revoked World Cup ticket allocation for supporters
Iran's football federation says the United States has revoked its ticket allocation for Iranian supporters ahead of the 2026 World Cup group stage matches in the US. The dispute affects Iran's three group games, which are due to be played in the United States. The federation says the move leaves it unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters under the current arrangements.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday, the federation said the change came with less than three days remaining before the tournament begins. It said it had already started selling tickets for matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt after receiving its quota. The federation also said some fans had already made travel and other arrangements based on that allocation.
The Iranian body said tournament rules entitle each participating federation to 8% of tickets for each match, distributed through official channels. It accused the United States of creating bureaucratic hurdles and said some support staff visas had also been refused. The federation said Iranian players and support staff had received US visas and landed in Mexico on Sunday, but that the situation for fans had since changed.
The complaint adds to a wider dispute over Iran's participation in the tournament and comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Tehran and Washington. The federation said the move was contrary to the spirit of international competition and the principle of equality among participating countries. It called on FIFA and tournament organisers to uphold neutrality, fairness and established regulations.
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The row also follows earlier visa problems that Tehran says have affected about 15 administrative and management staff in its delegation. Those issues have already complicated preparations for Iran's World Cup campaign. The latest allegation now shifts attention from team logistics to supporter access, which can be a sensitive issue at major international tournaments where host-country rules and federation allocations intersect.
Neither FIFA nor US organisers have publicly commented on the Iranian accusation. It is not clear whether the ticket allocation will be restored or whether any alternative arrangements will be made for Iranian supporters. It also remains unclear how many fans were affected by the reported withdrawal, and what impact the dispute may have on attendance at Iran's matches in the United States.
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