Iran’s football federation blasted a U.S. claim that a Revolutionary Guard member tried to board the team’s flight to Los Angeles. Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the individual had direct ties to the IRGC and was barred from a 120‑person delegation that had received only 53 visas. The federation called the allegation an outright lie today for all fans.

Iranian officials, led by federation president Mehdi Taj, rejected the story as “fabricated and entirely baseless.” They noted that the team had already faced travel hassles, moving from Mexico to Tucson and being denied entry for some staff. The dispute adds a political layer to Iran’s first World Cup match, where the squad drew 0‑0 with Belgium early in the tournament.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei and star Alireza Jahanbakhsh said the team will focus on recovery and a swift trip to Seattle for the next game against Egypt. They demand equal treatment for all 47 teams, arguing that Iran’s “oppression” stems from U.S. visa restrictions rather than on‑field performance. The federation plans to file a complaint with FIFA over the alleged bias.