A prominent watchdog organisation has urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to revoke visas for Iran's World Cup football squad, alleging the team is engaged in a "soft war" against America.
United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) submitted a letter to Rubio presenting what it describes as substantial evidence that Tehran intends to exploit the tournament for hostile purposes.
The group's concerns centre on a send-off ceremony held in Tehran on 13 May, where an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander addressed the players.
According to UANI, the commander declared the World Cup a "war battlefield" and stated the Iranian team would be playing in memory of those who "stood by Iran's missile defence systems and ballistic missile launchers."
Iran's football team have travelled to the United States for the World Cup
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A separate opposition coalition has gone further still, demanding that FIFA expel Iran's football federation from the sport entirely.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has provided Fox News Digital with a report alleging the regime has weaponised the country's football infrastructure for mass surveillance of its own citizens.
The dossier claims facial-recognition technology has been deployed at major stadiums including Azadi, Takhti and Shahr-e Qods.
NCRI alleges that ticketing systems are linked to Iran's national civil registration database, enabling authorities to map spectators seat-by-seat using national identity numbers.
"It is highly critical for security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to utilise and exploit the video surveillance cameras of the Azadi Complex during matches," the report quotes from alleged internal Iranian security documents.
Iran have been drawn in World Cup G, where they will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt
| GETTYThe NCRI report identifies at least 15 IRGC commanders who have held formal positions within Iranian football club management.
Among those named is an individual the organisation describes as an IRGC intelligence officer currently leading Iran's football federation.
Former IRGC commander Mohammad Rouyanian managed the prominent Persepolis club for years, whilst active Basij militia member Ali Inanloo was appointed to the club's board in 2025.
The regime's treatment of dissenting athletes stands in grim contrast to the national team's compliance with authorities.
UANI's letter reminds Secretary Rubio that several footballers were killed by state forces during pro-democracy protests in January 2026.
The victims include Mojtaba Torshiz, a Premier League player killed on 8 January in Tehran, and Pedram Khalouei, a 15-year-old youth player for Sepahan FC, killed the following day in Isfahan.
Despite the political furore, Iran's squad has arrived in North America, touching down in Tijuana on Sunday after departing their Turkish training base in Antalya.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been told to revoke visas for Iran's World Cup football squad
| REUTERSThe team was compelled to relocate to Mexico following visa delays that scuppered original plans for an Arizona training camp, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offering sanctuary in May.
The State Department has remained silent on whether additional restrictions will be imposed on the Iranian delegation.
NCRI's deputy director Alireza Jafarzadeh drew a pointed historical parallel, urging FIFA to follow the precedent set during apartheid.
The World Cup features an expanded format with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four | GETTY"Do exactly what you did with South Africa during the apartheid," he said.
"The Iranian Football Federation that is controlled by the Revolutionary Guards must be expelled from FIFA."