An individual with direct ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to gain entry to the United States on Saturday by posing as the president of Iran's soccer federation. This move was part of the Iranian national team's travel arrangements for the 2026 World Cup.
U.S. authorities identified and prevented the individual from boarding the flight.
According to a report from the Washington Examiner, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin disclosed the event on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures.
Mullin detailed that their investigation revealed the man had only assumed the position in 2022, raising immediate suspicions.
"Upon investigating, we found he had only been appointed to that role since 2022, so we denied him boarding," Mullin stated. "The individual trying to board that plane had direct connections with the IRGC."
The State Department had vowed to bar anyone with direct links to the IRGC, an organization the United States has designated as a terrorist group, especially given the heightened tensions between the two countries in early 2026.
The Iranian team's base is located in Tijuana, Mexico. From there, they cross into the U.S. only the day before their matches and must leave the same evening after the game.
The Iranian soccer federation had requested permission for the delegation to travel to Los Angeles two days ahead of their group match against Belgium, scheduled for this Sunday. However, this request was denied despite submitting their preparation schedule well in advance.
As a result of these restrictions, Iran lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, arguing that the players are unable to acclimate to the conditions of each host city.
Mullin mentioned having "multiple conversations" with FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the travel restrictions imposed on the Iranian team, though he did not disclose the specifics of those discussions.
The diplomatic scenario is highly strained: on June 17, the U.S. and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities, and as of Sunday, both parties were negotiating a final peace agreement in Switzerland.
The travel restrictions are a direct result of the armed conflict between Washington and Tehran, which included U.S. attacks on IRGC facilities and Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz on June 11.
Since June 2025, the Trump administration had enforced a complete visa suspension for Iranian nationals, forcing the team to set up their camp in Mexico to participate in the tournament.
Iran's next World Cup match is slated against Egypt in Seattle later this week.
Key Questions About U.S. and Iran World Cup Tensions
Why was the Iranian soccer official denied entry into the U.S.?
The Iranian official was denied entry because he had direct ties to the IRGC, and the U.S. State Department has a policy of barring individuals associated with this organization.
What are the implications of the travel restrictions on the Iranian soccer team?
The travel restrictions mean the Iranian team cannot enter the U.S. until the day before their matches, affecting their preparation and acclimatization to different cities.
How has the conflict between the U.S. and Iran affected the World Cup?
The ongoing tensions have led to strict travel restrictions for the Iranian team and increased diplomatic negotiations, impacting their World Cup participation.