United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that Iranian players will be allowed to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but drew a firm line on who can accompany them. Standing beside President Donald Trump, Rubio said the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) members cannot enter the US as part of the Iranian delegation.
Rubio emphasized that the IRGC is a designated terrorist organization by the US, and its members will not be granted visas. He referred to them as 'pretend trainers' and 'IRGC terrorists,' making clear that only legitimate players and staff without IRGC ties would be permitted.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran qualified for the tournament after finishing top of their Asian qualifying group. The US and Iran are scheduled to play each other in the group stage on June 21, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This is not the first time political tensions have affected World Cup participation. In 2022, Iran faced similar issues regarding the IRGC's involvement in their delegation. The US State Department has not yet commented on specific visa applications.
