WASHINGTON, D.C. April 23, 2026 — The United States has no objection to Iran’s national football team competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but will not allow members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to enter the country disguised as journalists, athletic trainers, or support staff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday.
Speaking in the Oval Office alongside President Donald Trump during a meeting on Lebanon and Israel, Rubio directly addressed speculation that Washington might bar Iran from the tournament or push for Italy to replace the team.
“Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t come,” Rubio told reporters. “The problem with Iran would not be their athletes. It would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in but not the athletes themselves.”
He added: “They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers.”
The IRGC is officially designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization.
President Trump echoed the position, stating that the administration “would not want to affect the athletes.”
The remarks come amid reports that a U.S. envoy had floated the idea of Italy taking Iran’s place in the World Cup, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Rubio denied any U.S. effort to exclude Iran’s players, saying the decision to participate ultimately rests with Tehran.
Iran has already qualified for the 2026 tournament. Rubio’s comments emphasize a clear distinction between legitimate athletes and regime-linked personnel amid ongoing U.S. national security concerns regarding the IRGC.
The full statement was posted by the State Department on X, highlighting the administration’s firm stance on preventing terrorist infiltration while supporting fair athletic competition.
About The Author
