Iran’s Football Federation slams abrupt US decision to cancel its ticket quota
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has strongly condemned the abrupt decision by US authorities to cancel its ticket quota and obstruct the sale of tickets to Team Melli fans.
With only three days left before the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and in contravention of the conventional sporting frameworks by the host country, US authorities obstructed the presence of Iranian football fans at stadiums where Team Melli will play three matches in the group stage.
According to the regulations and common procedures set by the international governing body of football (FIFA), 8% of the ticket capacity for each match is allocated to the federations participating in the World Cup, so that fans of each country can purchase tickets through official mechanisms and in coordination with their respective federations.
The FFIRI therefore began to sell tickets for the national team’s matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt through its official website, after it had received the relevant quota.
However, in an unexpected move, the quota allocated to the FFIRI has been withdrawn, and it is currently impossible to sell even a single ticket to fans of the national team through the federation website.
This is while many Iranian football fans had put all their trust in the officially announced process, and made necessary plans to support Team Melli at the stadiums, where it is going to play its World Cup fixtures.
In a statement on Tuesday, the FFIRI condemned the move, emphasizing that stripping the enthusiasts of their right to acquire the legal and official quota of allocated tickets is an act that goes against the spirit of international competitions, and the principle of equality among participating countries.
“The move has raised serious questions about the role of non-sporting and political considerations in the process of organizing the world’s largest football tournament,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement noted that Iranian football fans have always been one of the most important spiritual assets of Team Melli in all international competitions, observing the rules and respecting professional principles. It is hence highly required that their legal rights be respected like fans of other participating countries.
While expressing its profound dissatisfaction with the anti-Iran move, the Iranian football federation called on FIFA and the World Cup 2026 organizers to adhere to the principles of impartiality, justice and established regulations, and provide the necessary conditions for Iranian fans to enjoy their legal rights, and not allow politically-motivated initiatives to overshadow the world’s largest football event.
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