JAKARTA – United States (US) Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin told Fox News that an individual with direct ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) tried to board an Iranian national team (Timnas) plane to Los Angeles from Mexico for the 2026 World Cup match on Monday, June 22, 2026 WIB, against Belgium.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) immediately denied this. They called the US claims a blatant lie and the accusations were fabricated and completely unfounded.
“The claim that an official representative of FFIRI tried to board a plane to enter the United States yesterday and was prevented from doing so is a blatant and undeniable lie.”
“This claim is so unfounded that those who make it are very aware that such an incident has never happened since the beginning.”
“It is unfortunate that a senior US official has used false statements and incorrect information to justify the restrictions imposed on members of the Iranian national team delegation.”
“When specific, verified, and individually addressed allegations are filed and the allegations are fundamentally false, it naturally calls into question the credibility of other allegations as well,” the FFIRI statement read.
Mullin told Fox News that most teams travel with about 120 people, but the US only accepted 53 people in the Iran case.
He said that other people Iran was trying to get visas for had direct ties to the IRGC and not their normal travel groups.
Mullin did not name the man, but said he had a direct relationship with the IRGC despite being rejected outright by the FFIRI.
“When we started doing research on him, he had only been stationed since 2022, and we didn’t allow him to get on the plane.”
“The man who tried to board the plane yesterday has direct ties to the IRGC,” Mullin said of the detained individual.
Mullin’s statement was immediately responded to by FFIRI, which said the US official’s claims were not supported by any evidence or documentation, and were a clear attempt to cover up discriminatory behavior and unreasonable restrictions.
The case echoes Iran’s complaints throughout the tournament that politics have interfered with football, even as US Vice President JD Vance said there was an opportunity to start a new page with the start of talks in Switzerland on a temporary deal to end the war.
Previously, Iranian players and coaches had complained about the back-and-forth trip to Mexico instead of Tucson, Arizona, as well as the ban on some officials, staff. FFIRI has said it will file a complaint with FIFA.
At least 11 members of the Iranian delegation at the 2026 World Cup have been denied visas to enter the US.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei even spoke after the team’s first match against New Zealand about the restrictions imposed on those given entry.
“We were supposed to arrive two nights before the match and we were not allowed. We were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow afternoon, but I don’t know why, and they haven’t told us.”
“Our team is the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran national team player Alireza Jahanbakhsh said after the 0-0 draw against Belgium that he did not want to keep thinking about the challenging situation.
He said the players are now focused on recovery and preparation for departing for Seattle for the next match against Egypt.
He hopes the team can leave as soon as possible to adapt.
“We are not asking for much. We are just asking for the same procedure as for the other 47 teams. Hopefully we can bring everyone involved and help us,” he said.
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