Iran’s football federation has claimed that the United States has revoked its allocated ticket quota for Iranian supporters ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move that has sparked fresh controversy just days before the tournament kicks off.
According to the federation, Iran was originally granted the standard 8 percent ticket allocation given to all participating countries, allowing it to distribute match tickets to its supporters for group-stage games. However, it says this arrangement has now been cancelled, leaving Iranian fans unable to obtain tickets through official channels.
The Iranian FA described the decision as sudden and unexpected, adding that some supporters had already made travel plans and completed purchases based on earlier confirmations of ticket availability.
Iran is set to play its group-stage matches in the United States against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. The federation warned that the withdrawal of tickets now means it cannot provide even a single match ticket to its supporters.
Officials in Iran say the move is part of wider restrictions affecting its World Cup preparations, including reported visa complications for some members of its delegation.
The federation has accused organisers of acting contrary to FIFA regulations, which guarantee participating nations a fixed share of tickets for their fans through official distribution channels.
It also called on FIFA to intervene and ensure fairness, insisting that political tensions should not affect sporting access or fan participation at the tournament.
The development adds to growing concerns around logistics and diplomacy ahead of the World Cup, which is being jointly hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Neither FIFA nor U.S. organisers have issued an official response to the allegation at the time of reporting.