WASHINGTON: The United States will closely examine the composition of Iran’s delegation for the FIFA World Cup to ensure that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) do not enter the country under the guise of participating in the tournament, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday.
Speaking during a hearing before a House of Representatives committee, Rubio stressed that Washington had no objection to the Iranian national football team, coaches or legitimate support staff travelling to the United States for the competition.
However, he indicated that American authorities would remain vigilant against any attempt to include individuals with alleged connections to the IRGC who have no direct role in sporting activities.
“We have no problem with the Iranian football team and those directly involved in the sport coming to participate,” Rubio told lawmakers.
“What we will not allow is for people with no genuine connection to athletics, but who may have ties to the IRGC or similar organisations, to be embedded within the delegation. We will be watching that very closely.”
The remarks come as preparations continue for the World Cup, which will feature matches hosted across North America. Although Iran is scheduled to play games in the United States, the team is expected to be based in neighbouring Mexico during the tournament.
Rubio’s comments also reflect the broader tensions that continue to shape relations between Washington and Tehran. The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran earlier this year, further straining an already fragile relationship marked by longstanding disputes over regional security, sanctions and Iran’s military activities.
Despite those geopolitical tensions, the US administration has signalled that it intends to uphold its responsibilities as a World Cup host nation by facilitating the participation of qualified teams.
At the same time, officials have made clear that national security considerations will remain a priority throughout the tournament. The IRGC, a powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces, has long been a focus of US sanctions and security concerns.
American authorities have repeatedly accused the organisation of supporting activities that threaten regional stability, allegations that Tehran rejects.
Rubio did not provide details on specific screening measures but indicated that US authorities would carefully review delegation members to ensure compliance with immigration and security requirements.
The World Cup is expected to attract thousands of athletes, officials and supporters from around the globe, making security and vetting procedures a key aspect of tournament planning for host nations.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the United States from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19, 2026. For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
