Fifa working to resolve revoked Iran tickets

Fifa has said it is working to “maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches” after the country’s World Cup group-stage ticket allocation was revoked just days before the tournament.

The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, starts on Thursday, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June – both in Los Angeles – before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) says Fifa regulations state each federation involved in the World Cup receives 8% of the tickets for each of their matches, to distribute to supporters.

It added that it had already begun selling tickets but can no longer provide them to fans, some of whom have already made travel arrangements.

Iran’s ticket situation is complex because of American regulatory requirements, including Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) restrictions, which limit the ability of US-based entities to process certain transactions.

The OFAC enforces trade sanctions and has effectively blocked Iran from being able to buy tickets, meaning if there is no resolution the Iran allocation will go back on sale.

The move has provoked anger among Iranian supporting bodies with the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) calling it “petty and vindicative”, while the FFIRI questioned US governmental interference.

“Depriving Iranian supporters of access to their lawful and official allocation of tickets is an action contrary to the spirit of governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries,” the FFIRI statement said.

“This development raises serious questions about the interference of non-sporting and political considerations in the organisation of the world’s biggest football event.”

The FFIRI also called on Fifa “to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations”.

Iran’s involvement in the World Cup has been plagued with uncertainty, linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns.

On 25 May, Iran moved their training base from Tucson, Arizona to the Mexican city of Tijuana, claiming the US were unwilling to host them.

Under the conditions of their visas, they will have to fly in and out of the United States on matchday for each of their three group games.

Less than a fortnight later, on 6 June, they accused the US of denying visas to “integral” members of the national team’s backroom staff, with 15 administrative officials denied entry.

The FFIRI had previously presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Iran’s players will be welcome at the tournament but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.

Iran were the only country not present at Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver in April after a delegation of FFIRI officials, including president Medhi Taj, were turned away at the Canadian border.