U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States will monitor Iran's delegation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will prevent individuals with alleged connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from entering the country. This statement was made during a House of Representatives committee meeting on Tuesday.

U.S. Stance on Iranian Delegation

Rubio clarified that while the U.S. has no objections to the Iranian national soccer team and its legitimate support staff attending the World Cup, there will be strict scrutiny regarding the delegation's composition. The aim is to ensure that only those directly involved in the sport are permitted entry into the United States.

World Cup Matches and Team Logistics

The Iranian national team is set to participate in several matches in the U.S. during the tournament. However, it has been reported that the team will be based in neighboring Mexico throughout the event.

Rubio's comments come at a time of increased tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly following recent military actions that have escalated conflicts in the region.