Key facts
- Iran's football federation claims FIFA revoked its World Cup ticket allocation.
- The Iranian team wore pins honoring 168 victims of a school strike.
- The team is scheduled to play its first World Cup match on June 15.
- FIFA is working with the Iranian federation to facilitate fan attendance.
- Other delegations have faced entry issues into the U.S. for the tournament.
Iran's national soccer federation has claimed that FIFA revoked its ticket allocation for fans attending the team's World Cup matches in the United States, adding to pre-tournament turmoil. The federation stated it is now unable to provide tickets to supporters, suggesting political interference by the U.S. government.
FIFA confirmed it is collaborating with the Iranian federation to find ways for Iranian fans to attend games. This situation arises as the Iranian team prepares to travel to the U.S. just one day before their opening match on June 15, with some delegation members still awaiting visas. The team has also been observed wearing pins honoring 168 victims of a school strike.
Concerns about U.S. entry policies for World Cup participants have surfaced, with a Somali referee denied entry and an Iraqi player detained. The Iranian federation questioned whether non-sporting and political factors are influencing the tournament's organization.