U.S. says it does not object to Iran playing in World Cup but people with ties to IRGC won't be allowed

l 23 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday (April 24, 2026)​, Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in ‌the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he added ​the players will not be allowed to ⁠bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t ‌come,” Mr. Rubio told reporters. President Donald Trump also said his administration “would not want to affect ‌the athletes” in comments he made at the ‌White ⁠House. The 2026 soccer World Cup is set ⁠to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.