WASHINGTON, June 8. /TASS/. With only two days remaining before the kick-off of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the organizers of the much-anticipated global football championship have decided to revoke the earlier allocated quota for Iranian football fans traveling to North America to support their national team, Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a statement from the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI).
All Iranian football fans who have already finalized their travel plans will now be unable to attend matches supporting their national team.
"This is despite the fact that ·many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the necessary plans to attend the matches," Reuters quoted the FFIRI statement as saying.
"Depriving Iranian supporters of access to their lawful and official allocation of tickets is an action contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries," the statement added.
The Iranian football team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, following the draw, was placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Iran was scheduled to play all of its three group stage matches in the United States. Iran is set to play two of its Group G matches in Los Angeles - on June 15 against New Zealand and on June 21 against Belgium - and another match in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.
