Rubio: We do not oppose Iran playing in the World Cup, but individuals linked to the IRGC will not be allowed entry

(Patria) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington has no objections to the participation of Iranian players in the World Cup, but added that players will not be allowed to bring people linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with them.

"Nothing from the US has told them they cannot come," Rubio told reporters, Reuters reported.

President Donald Trump also said his administration "does not want to affect the athletes" in comments made at the White House.

The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Paolo Zampolli, a Trump envoy with no official ties to the World Cup, had previously suggested that Italy replace Iran in the tournament.

"The problem with Iran would not be their athletes. The problem would be some other people they want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in, but not the athletes themselves," Rubio said.
"They can't bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend to be journalists and sports coaches," Rubio added. Washington has designated the IRGC as a "foreign terrorist organization".

There are currently no indications that Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament, which Italy missed.

After the war in Iran began, Iran asked FIFA to move three of the team's group matches from the US to Mexico, which was rejected.

The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded with attacks on Israel and Gulf states with US bases. The US-Israeli attacks on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. A fragile ceasefire in the war in Iran began more than two weeks ago.