Replicas of the FIFA World Cup trophy are displayed in a shop in Tehran, Iran, April 23, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters l 23 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday (April 24, 2026), Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he added the players will not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t come,” Mr. Rubio told reporters. President Donald Trump also said his administration “would not want to affect the athletes” in comments he made at the White House. The 2026 soccer World Cup is set to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Published – April 24, 2026 11:07 am IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Post-SIR electorate drop drives turnout surge; votes remain steady compared to 2021 election Watch: Manipur sees little respite despite a change of guard under the BJP | The Hindu Editorial