FIFA Revokes Iran’s Ticket Allocation for U.S. World Cup Matches Amid Ongoing U.S.–Iran Military Conflict

Iran's soccer federation stated on Tuesday that FIFA had revoked its ticket allocation for the team's three World Cup group-stage matches in the United States, leaving supporters who had already made travel plans without entry. Each of the 48 federations at the tournament is entitled to 8 percent of stadium capacity to distribute.

Federations normally sell those tickets to supporters who follow the team at home and abroad.

It remains unclear how many tickets had already been sold to members of Iran's diaspora in the United States. Iran opens against New Zealand on June 15 at the Los Angeles Rams' stadium in Inglewood. The team faces Belgium in the same venue on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

FIFA stated it is working to maximize opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches. The federation's statement, carried by semi-official state media, gave no reason for the revocation. U.S. Authorities denied entry to some federation officials.

The team's original training plan in Tucson, Arizona, was abandoned. U.S. travel restrictions have been in place since last year. The United States began military attacks on Iran on February 28.

A FIFA-appointed referee from Somalia was denied entry at Miami over the weekend and was ruled out of the 104-game tournament on Monday. The tournament begins Thursday.