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By Aadi Nair and Kristina CookeIran’s football federation said on Tuesday its ticket allocation had been pulled just days before the World Cup starts, leaving supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team’s matches.The World Cup begins with the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and Bafana Bafana at Estadio Azteca on Thursday (1pm in Mexico City, 9pm SA time). Iran play their first two Group G games in Los Angeles, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, and then face Egypt in Seattle on June 26.In a statement, the Iranian federation said it had already begun the ticket sales process for the matches but could no longer provide them to fans.“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,” the FFIRI (Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran) said.“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.La selección de #Iran ya está en Tijuana donde tendrá su sitio de concentración.Ha sido muy maltratada está selección ya que le exigieron que tenía que llegar y salir de suelo estadounidense el mismo día de sus partidos, terrible. pic.twitter.com/dRWlJSg2Hk— World Cup Plus (@WorldCupPlusX) June 7, 2026
