Rubio: We are monitoring the Iranian delegation at the World Cup due to the IRGC

(Patria) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the United States will not allow Iranians linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be part of the country's delegation participating in the World Cup, which begins this month, Reuters reported.

The Iranian team will play matches in the U.S. but will be based in Mexico during the tournament.

Despite the war launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in late February, Rubio said Washington has "no problem" with the arrival of the Iranian football team and its support staff.

"What we will not allow is for them to include in their delegation a group of people we know have nothing to do with sports and have ties to the IRGC or similar things, so we will monitor that very carefully," Rubio said at a House committee hearing.