FIFA cancels quotas on tickets for Iranian fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has withdrawn Iran's quota of 8% seats for its fans at the stadiums of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in North America. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on June 9.

"Depriving Iranian fans of access to legal and official tickets is an action contrary to the spirit of international competitions and the principle of equality between participating countries," the agency quoted the Iranian Football Federation as saying.

The ministry clarified that they had already started selling quota tickets among their fans when the mechanism was suspended. The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic called these actions politically motivated.

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On June 7, Iranian diplomats called on FIFA to hold the United States accountable for "discrimination and pressure" on the Iranian national team after refusing to issue visas to staff accompanying athletes at the World Cup. Iranian diplomatic officials have accused their American counterparts of hypocrisy, saying Washington is conducting "the worst possible form of politically biased interference in sports."

On May 16, Reuters reported that FIFA Secretary General Matthias Grafstrom will hold a meeting in Istanbul with representatives of the Iranian Football Federation on the participation of the national team in the World Cup. In the group stage, Iran's national team is scheduled to play against New Zealand and Belgium in Inglewood, California, and also face Egypt in Seattle.