- Iran's football federation (FFIRI) announced that its World Cup ticket allocation has been withdrawn just days before the tournament begins, leaving many Iranian fans who had already made travel plans unable to attend matches.
- The FFIRI condemned the decision as an attempt to “sabotage the presence of Iranian fans” and stated it contradicts the spirit of international competitions and the principle of equality among participating nations.
- This incident follows earlier accusations by Iran of 'discriminatory behaviour' from the US, particularly regarding the denial of visas for key staff members, including the head of the FFIRI, Mehdi Taj.
- The Iranian team faced significant logistical challenges, including relocating their base to Tijuana, Mexico, after reports that the administration did not want them in Arizona, and players' visas were issued with strict conditions requiring them to leave US soil on match days, contrary to World Cup rules.
- Iran is scheduled to play all its group stage games in the US, facing New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle, with neither Fifa nor the US administration having publicly commented on the situation.
IN FULL
Iran says entire ticket allocation for World Cup withdrawn days before tournament
