Iran: World Cup ticket allotment rescinded

Iranian soccer fans planning to attend the World Cup in the United States have been denied tickets to the country's matches, Iran's football federation said Tuesday.

In a statement, the federation said it had reserved tickets to sell to fans, who already have their travel plans set, only to learn the decision had been made to rescind the tickets. Each participating national federation is entitled to 8% of the tickets for each match.

Iran's first two games are in Los Angeles -- facing New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21. On June 26, Iran plays Egypt in Seattle for a final Group G match.

The federation did not state who made the decision to pull the tickets.

"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 Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran said in its statement.

"This development raises serious questions about the interference of non-sporting and political considerations in the organization of the world's biggest football event."

Iran also is asking FIFA "to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations."

The United States and Israel launched an air assault on Iran in late February, and the Iranians have responded with attacks on U.S. bases in the region, on Israel and on U.S. allies.

Because of the conflict, Iran moved its training complex from Tucson, Ariz., to Mexico. That country is co-hosting this North American World Cup with the U.S. and Canada.

The Iranian team will play all three of its matches in the U.S. but is required to fly in from Mexico on the morning of games and leave the U.S. upon conclusion of the event.

Iran is assigned to Group G and is scheduled to play against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21 and Egypt on June 26.

The first two matches will be played in Inglewood, Calif., and the contest with Egypt is set for Seattle.

The road to the World Cup has been rocky for Iran.

President Donald Trump suggested in mid-March that Iran's national soccer team should withdraw from the World Cup as a personal safety measure.

Trump wrote on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns, that Iran is welcome to play in the United States, "but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."

The U.S. granted visas to the players just 10 days before their first match, though several staff members were not awarded the necessary documents to enter the U.S.

Reuters reported Tuesday that Mattias Grafstrom, the secretary general of FIFA, had a "positive discussion" with Mehdi Taj, the president of the federation, in Mexico.

"FIFA will continue dialogue and collaboration with the FFIRI to ensure the team and the delegation's experience is a positive one," Grafstrom said in a statement.

--Field Level Media