Rubio: We Will Not Allow Entry of Individuals Linked to the Revolutionary Guard to the World Cup

SadaNews - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the United States will not permit the entry of any individuals associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as part of the delegation accompanying the Iranian team during its participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Rubio stated during a hearing before a committee in the U.S. House of Representatives that Washington does not oppose the entry of the Iranian football team and its technical and administrative staff related to sports participation into the United States, despite the recent tensions between the two countries.

He added: "What we will not allow is for them to include a group of individuals whom we know are unrelated to sports and have connections to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or matters of that nature, so we will monitor that closely."

Rubio's remarks come ahead of the 2026 World Cup competitions, which are hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where the Iranian team is scheduled to play its matches in the United States while training in Mexico during the tournament.