U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin said an individual with alleged ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was prevented from traveling to the United States alongside the Iranian national football team delegation ahead of a World Cup match in Los Angeles.
Mullin said the person attempted to board a flight from Mexico with the team but was stopped after U.S. authorities reviewed his background and affiliations.
Iran’s Football Federation strongly rejected the claim, calling it “an outright lie” and saying no such incident occurred involving any official representative being denied boarding.
The federation argued the allegation was fabricated and accused U.S. officials of spreading misinformation to justify travel restrictions on its delegation, according to Newsmax.
Mullin made the comments during a Fox News interview on Sunday, stating that the individual had been placed in a leadership role in 2022 and had “direct ties” to the IRGC.
He said U.S. officials determined the person would not be allowed to travel as part of the delegation’s flight arrangements.
The Iranian national team has been traveling under a system that allows entry into the United States shortly before scheduled matches, often routing through Mexico before final arrival.
Iranian officials said logistical constraints and visa delays have complicated preparations and limited the number of delegation members able to enter the country in advance of competition.
Iranian football authorities have also filed a complaint with FIFA, arguing that travel restrictions and delayed entry approvals have disrupted the team’s ability to prepare properly for international play, the Washington Examiner reported.
The federation said multiple staff members were denied visas or entry clearance ahead of matches.
Mullin said he has discussed broader travel screening procedures with FIFA leadership, including President Gianni Infantino, though he did not provide specifics of those conversations.
He also said U.S. authorities are closely vetting incoming delegation personnel and limiting the number of approved travelers for security reasons.
The dispute comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with ongoing disagreements over sanctions, security concerns, and border enforcement policy.
Mullin has previously warned about individuals with alleged IRGC connections attempting to enter the United States through multiple entry points, including the northern border.
Iranian officials have rejected broader security accusations as politically motivated, arguing that restrictions placed on their delegation are part of a pattern of unfair treatment during international sporting events.
Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei has also said the team has faced significant logistical and travel challenges during competition.
The incident highlights continued friction surrounding Iran’s participation in international sporting events hosted in the United States, where security screening procedures and diplomatic tensions have increasingly intersected.
Officials from both sides continue to offer conflicting accounts of the disputed travel issue and its broader implications.
For now, the Iranian national team remains scheduled to continue tournament play under heightened security oversight, while officials maintain sharply differing narratives over what occurred during the delegation’s attempted travel arrangements.
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