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Will Iran's national football team be allowed to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
HomeNewsWorldRubio Signals Green Light For Iran Team At FIFA World Cup, But Bars IRGC-Linked Staff The US has indicated that Iran’s football team will be allowed to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may be denied entry. By : Ayesha Fatima | Updated at : 24 Apr 2026 10:30 AM (IST) Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that while athletes are welcome, restrictions apply to certain non-playing members due to the IRGC’s designation as a terrorist organisation. Show Quick Read Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom US permits Iranian athletes for 2026 World Cup participation. IRGC-linked individuals face entry restrictions, not athletes. Trump administration prioritizes athletes despite geopolitical tensions. No plans for Iran's exclusion from the tournament. The United States on Thursday signalled that Iran’s national football team will be permitted to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even as it made clear that individuals with alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would be denied entry. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking alongside President Donald Trump, said Washington has no objection to Iranian athletes competing in the tournament. However, he stressed that restrictions would apply to certain members of the travelling contingent. ‘No Objection to Athletes’, Says Rubio Rubio drew a distinction between players and accompanying personnel, underlining that the concern does not extend to sportspersons. “Nothing from the US has told them they can't come,” he told reporters. He added that the issue lies with non-playing members who may be associated with the IRGC, which the US has designated as a “foreign terrorist organisation”. “The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them… We may not be able to let them in but not the athletes themselves,” Rubio said. Taking a firmer tone, he warned that individuals with such links would not be allowed to enter under other guises. “They can't bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,” he said. Trump Signals Support for Athletes Amid Tensions President Trump also indicated that his administration does not intend to penalise athletes despite broader geopolitical tensions. Speaking at the White House, he said the US “would not want to affect the athletes”. The 2026...
US says Iran players can attend 2026 World Cup, but no IRGC-linked staff - India Today
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup but he added the players will not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)."Nothing from the US has told them they can't come," Rubio told reporters.President Donald Trump also said his administration "would not want to affect the athletes" in comments he made at the White House. The 2026 soccer World Cup is set to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.Paolo Zampolli, a Trump envoy who has no official connection with the World Cup, had earlier suggested that Italy should replace Iran at the tournament."The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in but not the athletes themselves," Rubio said."They can't bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers," Rubio added. Washington has designated the IRGC as a "foreign terrorist organisation."Currently there is no suggestion Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament that Italy missed out on.After the start of the Iran war, Iran requested that FIFA move the team's three group matches from the US to Mexico, which was rejected.The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states with US bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war began over two weeks ago.- EndsPublished By: Ajmal Published On: Apr 24, 2026 07:22 ISTMust Watch
US raises concerns over Iran’s participation in 2026 FIFA World Cup
When asked at the White House about Italy possibly replacing Iran in the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, Trump stated, “I don’t think about it too much…
FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran football team to play or not? US clears air on participation amid tensions with Tehran
Speaking alongside President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the media, clarifying that there would be no objection to the participation of Iranian players in the World Cup.
