US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the United States will carefully examine Iran's delegation attending the upcoming FIFA World Cup to ensure that individuals with links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) do not gain entry into the country under the cover of participating in the tournament.
Speaking during a hearing before a committee of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, Rubio explained that while the United States welcomes Iran's national football team and legitimate support staff, American authorities will closely scrutinise all members of the broader delegation. The objective, he said, is to prevent any individuals associated with Iran's security apparatus from entering the country by presenting themselves as part of the sporting contingent.
Rubio made it clear that Washington has no issue with athletes, coaches, trainers, medical personnel, and other individuals directly involved in the football team's participation in the tournament. However, he emphasised that the United States would remain vigilant regarding any delegation members whose presence appears unrelated to football or sporting activities.
According to Rubio, US authorities are particularly concerned that certain individuals with ties to the IRGC could attempt to travel to the United States as part of the Iranian delegation despite having no genuine role connected to the national team or the World Cup itself. He stated that officials would closely monitor the composition of the delegation and carefully evaluate visa applications and travel requests associated with the event.
During the hearing, Rubio stressed that American authorities would not permit Iran to use the tournament as an opportunity to send individuals who have no legitimate sporting function but maintain connections to the IRGC or other security-related organisations. He indicated that the government would carefully assess each case to determine whether prospective visitors were genuinely connected to football activities.
The comments come as preparations continue for the FIFA World Cup, which will feature matches hosted across North America. Although Iran is expected to play some of its matches in the United States, the team itself will reportedly be based in Mexico throughout the competition.
Rubio's remarks are notable because they come against the backdrop of continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Relations between the two countries have remained strained following military confrontations and diplomatic disputes involving the United States, Iran, and Israel earlier this year. Despite those tensions, Rubio reiterated that the US government has no objection to Iran's participation in the tournament and supports the entry of legitimate athletes and football personnel.
His comments instead reflect a broader security concern regarding the possibility that non-sporting individuals could attempt to use major international events as a means of gaining access to the United States. American officials have increasingly focused on screening foreign delegations attending international gatherings to ensure compliance with national security requirements.
The Secretary of State's statement signals that Iranian officials, delegation members, and support personnel seeking entry to the United States for World Cup-related activities are likely to face a heightened level of scrutiny. Authorities are expected to carefully review backgrounds, affiliations, and travel purposes before approving visas or granting entry.
The issue of IRGC-linked figures participating in football-related events has already attracted international attention in recent months. Earlier this year, Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran's football federation, became the subject of controversy during a visit to Canada.
Taj, who has previously been associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and is reported to be a former IRGC commander, travelled to Canada in April to attend the FIFA Congress held in Vancouver ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, his visit was cut short after Canadian authorities questioned him shortly after his arrival.
According to reports, Taj and two accompanying individuals subsequently left Canada after being stopped and interviewed by officials. The 66-year-old football administrator had been expected to participate in the FIFA Congress at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where football officials from around the world gathered to discuss matters related to the upcoming tournament.
The incident drew significant attention because Iranian government sources claimed that Taj had already received a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from Canadian authorities. Such permits can, in certain circumstances, override normal inadmissibility restrictions under Canadian immigration law and allow individuals to enter the country despite potential concerns regarding their eligibility.
Despite those reports, Taj ultimately did not remain in Canada for the duration of the event. His departure highlighted the sensitivity surrounding travel by individuals who are perceived to have connections with the Iranian government or security institutions.
The episode also underscored the broader challenges facing host nations as they prepare for large international sporting events involving participants from countries that maintain complex diplomatic relationships with Western governments. Officials often face the difficult task of balancing commitments to international sporting participation with national security considerations and immigration regulations.
Rubio's latest comments suggest that the United States intends to adopt a similarly cautious approach as it prepares to host World Cup matches. While emphasising that athletes and legitimate football personnel remain welcome, he indicated that authorities would take extensive measures to ensure that sporting events are not used as a pathway for individuals with potential security-related affiliations.
As the tournament approaches, the issue is likely to remain under close observation, particularly given the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. The situation highlights the intersection of international sports, diplomacy, immigration policy, and national security concerns that increasingly accompany major global events.
Although the United States continues to support the participation of Iran's football team in the World Cup, Rubio's remarks make clear that Washington intends to carefully monitor every aspect of the delegation to ensure that only individuals with genuine sporting roles are permitted entry into the country.
