Just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Iranian Football Federation announced that the allocation of tickets intended for Iranian supporters for the group stage matches has been revoked.
According to the federation, FIFA regulations stipulate that each participating country receives eight percent of the tickets for its matches, which can be sold or distributed to its fans. The Iranian federation claims that ticket sales had already begun but that it is no longer able to provide tickets to supporters, even though some have already made their travel arrangements.
In its statement, the federation argued that the decision goes against the principles of equal treatment for all participating nations and warned that it raises serious concerns about possible political interference in the organization of the world’s biggest football tournament.
The Iranian Football Federation also called on FIFA to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and its established regulations in the organization of the competition.
The FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins on Thursday. Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt during the group stage.
