The United States has said it does not object to Iran taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but has made it clear that certain individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will not be allowed to enter the country.
Marco Rubio said that Iranian players are welcome to compete and that the US does not want to punish athletes. However, he stressed that individuals with ties to the IRGC would not be permitted to travel with the team.
US President Donald Trump also supported this position, saying the government does not want to affect the players themselves.
The tournament will begin on June 11 and will be hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Rubio explained that the concern is not the players, but other individuals who may try to enter the US as part of the team’s group, including those claiming to be staff or media. He said such individuals could be denied entry if they are linked to the IRGC, which the US considers a terrorist organisation.
There has been no official move to ban Iran from the tournament, despite earlier suggestions from some figures that another team, such as Italy, could take their place.
Iran had also requested that their group matches be moved out of the United States, but this request was rejected.
The situation comes amid ongoing tensions following recent conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, although a fragile ceasefire is currently in place.
