FIFA withdraws World Cup tickets for Iranian supporters amid visa restrictions
By Joel Masibo, June 9, 2026The Iranian Football Federation has claimed that FIFA has cancelled the allocation of World Cup tickets originally reserved for Iran supporters for the team’s three group-stage matches in the United States.
Under FIFA regulations, each participating nation is usually granted about eight per cent of the seating capacity for its matches, allowing national associations to distribute thousands of tickets to their fans.
However, with Iran’s opening fixture against New Zealand scheduled for June 15, 2026, in Inglewood, California, the federation says it can no longer provide tickets to supporters wishing to attend.
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the governing body stated that FIFA, which oversees all World Cup ticketing operations, had withdrawn Iran’s allocation. According to the federation, “the United States has now taken steps to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums.” The FFIRI statement said in part.
This comes shortly after it was confirmed that the Iranian national football team will only be permitted to travel into and out of the United States on the days of their World Cup fixtures, according to comments made by the country’s ambassador to Mexico on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Serious questions
The federation further criticised the situation, saying: “This incident raises serious questions about the influence of non-sporting and political considerations on the organisation of the world’s biggest football event.” FFIRI said.
The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions involving Iranian football authorities, FIFA, and World Cup co-host the United States. Iran’s national team has since established its tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico, after abandoning earlier plans to prepare in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to the ticket dispute, several Iranian football officials have reportedly been unable to secure visas to enter the United States. Iran is set to face Belgium on June 2, 2026, and Egypt on June 26, 2026, after opening its campaign against New Zealand.
The federation explained that its supporters would normally receive tickets through an established distribution process aimed at rewarding loyal fans who regularly follow the national team. It expressed disappointment over the latest development, stating: “However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to Iran’s football federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances the federation is unable to offer even a single ticket to national team supporters.”
Questions have also emerged regarding access for Iranian fans, particularly because Iranian citizens have been subject to U.S. travel restrictions since last year. It remains unclear how many tickets had already been purchased by members of the Iranian diaspora living abroad, including those residing in the United States.
Infantino speaks
The situation has revived comments made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during preparations for the North American World Cup bid. At the time, Infantino emphasized the importance of allowing all qualified teams and their followers entry to tournament venues.
“It’s obvious when it comes to FIFA competitions as well [that] any team, including the supporters and the officials of that team, who would qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup,” Infantino said. “That is obvious.”
The issue is part of a wider debate over access to the tournament. A FIFA-appointed referee from Somalia was recently denied entry to the United States and subsequently removed from the competition. Reports have also emerged of an Iraqi player being detained upon arrival in Chicago and a photographer travelling with the team being refused entry.
Reacting to the developments, Piara Powar questioned the extent of government influence over the event.
“The disruption is such that one has to ask who is running the World Cup. Is it FIFA or is it the U.S. government with its racially charged immigration policies?” he said.
Powar added: “Before a ball has been kicked, the sense that this World Cup is anything but the celebration of global humanity a World Cup should be is beginning to take over.”