Washington imposes security restrictions on the Iranian team’s entourage at the World Cup

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington does not oppose the participation of Iranian players in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but added that players will not be allowed to be accompanied by individuals with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

He told reporters, “Nothing has been issued by the United States that prevents them from attending.”

President Donald Trump said at the White House that his administration “does not want to affect athletes.” The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Earlier, Paolo Zampolli, a presidential envoy with no official connection to the World Cup, had suggested that Italy replace Iran in the tournament.

Rubio said, “The issue with Iran is not its athletes, but some other individuals they wish to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. We may not allow them to enter, but not the athletes.”

He added, “They cannot bring a group of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps terrorists into our country and pretend they are journalists or sports coaches.” Washington has designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “foreign terrorist organization.”

There is currently no indication that Iran will withdraw or be barred from participating in the tournament, from which Italy is absent.

After the outbreak of war on February 28 following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran asked FIFA to move its three group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, but the request was rejected. Iran qualified for the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time last year.

During a visit to the Iranian team’s training camp in Turkey last month, Gianni Infantino said that all matches would proceed as scheduled, offering assistance to the team in its preparations.

The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday, “We are preparing and making the necessary arrangements for the World Cup, but we abide by the decisions of the authorities.”

He added, “At present, the decision is for the national team to be fully ready for the World Cup.”

The decision on which country would replace Iran in the event of its withdrawal lies with FIFA, which has the right, under Article 6 of the World Cup regulations, to invite any country of its choosing to fill the vacant spot.

The Asian Football Confederation is expected to press for a replacement from Asia if Iran is excluded. The United Arab Emirates, which lost a qualification playoff to Iraq last November, are considered the most likely option.

The World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, will begin on June 11. Iran is scheduled to open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.