FIFA's Sanctions Blind Spot: How U.S. Restrictions on Iran Complicate World Cup Hosting

The 2026 World Cup's tri-nation hosting reveals a structural flaw: FIFA has no clear exemption pathway for Iranian nationals under active U.S. sanctions, even with FIFA credentials. Iran's delegation faced airport delays and relocated training from Arizona to Mexico ahead of its June 26 match against Egypt in Seattle. This incompatibility—hosting a global tournament through a country maintaining sanctions against participating nations—creates friction no other squad confronts.