WANA (Jun 09) – Under standard regulations and procedures established by FIFA, 8 percent of the ticket capacity for each match is allocated to the participating federations in the World Cup, allowing fans of each country to purchase tickets through an official mechanism and in coordination with their respective federation.

 

Based on this rule and after receiving its designated quota, the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran launched the ticket sales process on its official website for the national team’s upcoming matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.

 

However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been revoked, and under the current circumstances, it is impossible for the federation to provide even a single ticket to the national team’s fans.

 

This comes at a time when many Iranian football enthusiasts, trusting the officially announced process, had already made the necessary arrangements to attend the tournament.

 

Depriving Iranian fans of access to their legal and official ticket quota is an action contrary to the governing spirit of international competitions and the principle of equality among participating nations. This incident raises serious questions regarding the interference of non-sporting and political considerations in the process of hosting the world’s largest football event.

 

Iranian football fans have always been one of the most important spiritual assets of the national team in all international competitions, adhering to the rules and respecting professional principles, and it is expected that their legal rights be respected just like the fans of other countries.

 

Therefore, while expressing dissatisfaction with this process, FIFA and the tournament organizers are expected to adhere to the principles of neutrality, justice, and approved regulations, to provide the necessary conditions for Iranian fans to enjoy their legal rights, and to not allow matters outside the football pitch to cast a shadow over the world’s biggest football tournament.