Iran's football federation says its allocation of fan tickets for the group stage of the World Cup has been revoked just days before the start of the tournament.
The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, opens Thursday. Iran plays New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, then faces Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran's governing body claims FIFA regulations grant each federation 8% of tickets per match for its supporters. It states it had already begun selling tickets but can no longer provide them to fans, some of whom have already made travel arrangements.
"Depriving Iranian supporters of access to their lawful and official allocation of tickets is an action contrary to the spirit of governing international competitions," said FFIRI in a statement, adding it "raises serious questions about the interference of non-sporting and political considerations."