Iran's World Cup ticket allocation revoked by the US for supporters

FIFA has revoked the ticket allocation for Iran fans at the team's three World Cup games in the United States, the national football federation claimed Tuesday.

Iran’s World Cup build-up has already been dominated by tension, travel issues and political pressure before a ball has even been kicked. The squad have been granted visas and are now in North America, but the campaign has continued to carry a heavy off-field backdrop.

FIFA has revoked the ticket allocation for Iran fans at the team’s three World Cup games in the United States, the national soccer federation claimed Tuesday. Each federation for the 48 teams taking part is entitled to receive and distribute 8% of stadium capacity at the World Cup, adding up to several thousands of tickets for each game.

Iran's football federation FFI has said that its ticket allocation for the World Cup group stage matches in the United States has been revoked and called on the governing body FIFA to intervene. The ISNA news agency quoted an FFI statement as saying that the US has taken steps to deny the presence of Iran fans at their matches in Los Angeles against new Zealand and Belgium and in Seattle against Egypt.

Iranian players and support staff got US visas and landed in Mexico on Sunday for the World Cup, but now fans in doubt.