Iran’s football federation has claimed that its official ticket allocation for the upcoming World Cup has been withdrawn just days before the tournament begins, leaving fans who had already made travel plans unable to attend matches.
The federation has raised concerns over fairness and possible political interference, urging FIFA to ensure neutrality in tournament arrangements.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Iranian football federation said it had already started the ticket sales process for its World Cup matches but was no longer able to distribute tickets to supporters.
It said many fans had already made travel arrangements based on the official allocation process and were now left disappointed by the sudden change.
The federation described the move as “contrary to the spirit” of international football competitions and questioned whether non-sporting factors had influenced the decision.
It said the withdrawal of tickets raises “serious questions” about fairness and equality among participating nations.
The Iranian body did not specify who made the decision but called on FIFA to uphold the principles of neutrality and fair play.
World Cup fixtures and fan expectations
The World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, with Iran scheduled to play its Group G matches in the United States:
- vs New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles
- vs Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles
- vs Egypt on June 26 in Seattle
Each participating federation is typically allocated around 8% of match tickets to distribute among fans.
Background of growing tensions
Iran’s participation in the tournament has already been affected by wider geopolitical tensions following regional conflict earlier this year.
The federation had earlier raised concerns about travel arrangements and logistical uncertainty, including issues related to visa approvals for players and staff.
Despite earlier concerns, players have now reportedly received visas, although some staff members were still awaiting approval.
FIFA has not yet officially responded to Iran’s latest claims, but the governing body confirmed that Secretary General Mattias Grafström held discussions with the Iranian federation president in Mexico.
FIFA said it would continue coordination with Iran to ensure the team’s participation and overall experience at the tournament remains smooth.
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