FIFA Revokes Iran's 8% World Cup Ticket Allotment as 14 Staff Face U.S. Visa Denials
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 10
FIFA Revokes Iran's 8% World Cup Ticket Allotment as 14 Staff Face U.S. Visa Denials
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 10
Summary
Iran said FIFA revoked its fan ticket allocation for all three U.S.-based group matches, wiping out an allotment equal to 8% of stadium capacity.
U.S. sanctions are blocking FIFA26 organizers from processing ticket sales involving residents of Iran, while 14 Iranian staff members — including a federation vice president — were denied U.S. visas.
The players have visas and are training in Tijuana after FIFA urged Iran to move its base from Tucson; all three group games are still set for the United States.
Forward Mehdi Taremi said the visa denials and a separate case involving a Somali referee have created "a lot of tension," while teammates said the Iran war has already disrupted training and family life.