U.S. Secretary of State Sets Condition on Iran’s World Cup Delegation

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Tuesday that the United States will not allow Iranians connected to the Revolutionary Guard to join their country’s delegation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. He emphasized that while the Iranian national team and its support staff may enter, individuals with ties to the Guard will be excluded.

Rubio stated during a House hearing: “What we will not allow is for them to include people who have nothing to do with sports and are connected to the Revolutionary Guard or similar matters. We will monitor this closely.” The Iranian team will play its matches in the U.S. but reside in Mexico during the tournament.

The delegation is expected to depart Turkey for Spain on Saturday before heading to Tijuana, Mexico. However, players have yet to receive visas, according to the Iranian Football Federation. Federation president Mehdi Taj said the team will secure Mexican visas by Tuesday or Wednesday, followed by U.S. visas. He noted that the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran earlier this year forced the team to relocate its base from the U.S. to Mexico.

Iran’s group stage matches are scheduled against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, Belgium on June 21 also in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. Taj explained that the war disrupted preparations, canceling planned friendlies including one against Spain. The team will play Mali in Antalya Thursday, after facing Gambia last Friday.

Preparations for the 2026 World Cup have also been hampered by Iran’s economic crisis, with sharp currency depreciation against the dollar affecting finances. Taj admitted “the situation in the country, especially the war, changed everything for us,” highlighting financial difficulties and canceled matches.