Fifa has said it is working to “maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches” after the country’s World Cup group-stage ticket allocation was revoked just days before the tournament.
The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, starts on Thursday, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June – both in Los Angeles – before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) says Fifa regulations state each federation involved in the World Cup receives 8% of the tickets for each of their matches, to distribute to supporters.
It added that it had already begun selling tickets but can no longer provide them to fans, some of whom have already made travel arrangements.
Iran’s ticket situation is complex because of American regulatory requirements, including Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) restrictions, which limit the ability of US-based entities to process certain transactions.
The OFAC enforces trade sanctions and has effectively blocked Iran from being able to buy tickets, meaning if there is no resolution the Iran allocation will go back on sale.
The move has provoked anger among Iranian supporting bodies with the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) calling it “petty and vindicative”, while the FFIRI questioned US governmental interference.
“Depriving Iranian supporters of access to their lawful and official allocation of tickets is an action contrary to the spirit of governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries,” the FFIRI statement said.
“This development raises serious questions about the interference of non-sporting and political considerations in the organisation of the world’s biggest football event.”
The FFIRI also called on Fifa “to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations”.