14/05/2026
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14/05/2026
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TEHRAN, May 14: Iran has warned against what it called the “politicization” of its participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, amid rising concerns over possible visa and entry restrictions for Iranian officials and team members.
Kazem Gharibabadi said host nations of the tournament are obligated to ensure equal and non-discriminatory treatment for all qualified teams. In a statement on X, he said Iran qualified for the World Cup through official FIFA channels and argued that any restrictions on Iranian players, officials, or staff would violate international sporting principles. He also stressed that FIFA statutes prohibit discrimination between countries and individuals, calling the World Cup a global event incompatible with political bias.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has already raised diplomatic sensitivities in Tehran over potential restrictions linked to Iranian officials and alleged connections with the IRGC.
Separately, former FBI special agent and Navy SEAL Jonathan Gilliam warned that Iranian sleeper cells in the United States could pose a security threat during the tournament. Speaking to Fox News, he urged strong deterrence measures and claimed Iran could activate operatives already inside the US during World Cup events.
Gilliam also suggested that a visible show of military force could serve as a warning to Tehran, including referencing the use of a Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb as a potential deterrent message, warning that any attack during the tournament would trigger severe retaliation.
