Fan ticket allocations for Iran’s World Cup group stage matches have been canceled just days before the start of the tournament, the Iranian Football Federation said.
The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, begins on Thursday. Iran are scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, before playing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran’s governing body says FIFA regulations state that each federation participating in the World Cup receives 8% of tickets for each match and distributes them to supporters.
It added that although it has already started selling tickets, it can no longer provide tickets to some fans who have already booked travel.
“Depriving Iranian supporters of access to legal and official ticket allocation is contrary to the spirit of international competition management and the principle of equality among participating countries,” FFIRI said in a statement.
“These developments raise serious questions about the interference of non-sporting, political considerations in the organization of the world’s largest football event.”
FFIRI also called on FIFA to “maintain the principles of neutrality, fairness and established regulations.”
