TEHRAN: Iran’s football federation on Tuesday said the United States has revoked its allocation of tickets for its World Cup group games, accusing the co-host of obstructing the attendance of Iranian supporters under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row.
The US has presented a number of bureaucratic hurdles for Iran at the global football spectacle, including refusing to issue visas for some of its support staff, as the two countries remain at war after the US and Israel attacked the country in late February.
“With less than three days remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup… the United States has once again acted to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums hosting the national team’s three group stage matches,” the federation said in a statement.
The Iranian football body said FIFA regulations dictate that it should be allocated eight percent of tickets for each match, which are given to participating federations for distribution to their supporters through official channels.
According to the statement, Iran had already begun ticket sales for group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt — all to be held in the US — after receiving its quota, with some fans having already made necessary arrangements.
“However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters of the national team,” it said.
The federation described the move as “contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries.”
It also called on FIFA and tournament organizers “to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations, to provide the necessary conditions for Iranian supporters.”
Neither FIFA nor US organizers have publicly commented on the Iranian accusation.
The complaint is the latest dispute regarding Iran’s participation in the World Cup, following visa issues that Tehran says have prevented some 15 administrative and management staff in its delegation from entering the United States.
Rising tensions also prompted Iran to announce that it was moving its World Cup training base to the Mexican border city of Tijuana rather than Tuscon, Arizona, as originally planned.
Iran open their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, before facing Belgium in the same city on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Jota will be in Scotland skipper Robertson’s ‘heart’
PARIS: Diogo Jota’s widow said in a letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson she is sure her late husband will be in his “heart” when he leads the side out for their opening match in the World Cup on Saturday.
Jota and Robertson became close friends during their time at Liverpool before the former’s spell there was cruelly cut short when he died, aged 28, in a car crash last July.
Robertson, who ended a trophy-laden nine year spell with Liverpool when he signed for Tottenham Hotspur last Friday, had paid tribute to Jota after the Scots secured their place at the finals for the first time since 1998.
“We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland,” Robertson said last November after the play-off win over Denmark.
“I know he’ll be smiling over me today.”
Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota’s three children, said in her letter — which FIFA published along with a video of Robertson reading it — his words that night had touched her deeply.
“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realized that Diogo never truly left the pitch,” wrote Cardoso, who married Jota days before he died alongside his brother Andre Silva.
“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone.
– ‘Full of emotion’ –
“You’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him.
“Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.
“That’s how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you.
“Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”
Robertson said Cardoso’s letter would stay with him for a “very long time.”
“I’ll carry him in my heart and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game and hopefully beyond that,” said Robertson.
“He’s always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry.
“And that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. I know he’ll be right at the front of my mind.
“I’m not only just playing for me. I’m playing for both of us.”
Robertson will hope to honor the memory of Jota by becoming the first Scotland skipper to lead the side into the knock-out stages of the finals at the ninth attempt.
The Scots open their campaign against Haiti on June 13 in Boston, followed by tougher dates with African champions Morocco, also in Boston on June 19, and five-time winners Brazil on June 24 in Miami.
Brazil’s Neymar to continue World Cup prep
BRASILIA: Neymar’s recent MRI revealed he’s making “good progress” in his recovery from a calf injury as he attempts to represent Brazil in his fourth World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation announced on Monday.
“The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters,” the statement read. “He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff.”
Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer (79) and second all-time in appearances (128), sustained a Grade 2 muscle tear in his calf in mid-May that was expected to sideline him for two to three weeks.
That injury has sidelined Neymar for Brazil’s two tune-up friendlies May 31 against Panama and June 6 against Egypt and leaves him questionable for Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco on Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J.
Brazil has won the most World Cups in history (five) but has not won one — or even made a final — since 2002.After the Group C opener against Morocco, Brazil closes out group play against Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia and against Scotland.
