Rubio Clears Iran Players for World Cup — But Bars IRGC-Linked Personnel; Taremi's Visa Under Scrutiny

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on April 24 that Iran's players may attend the 2026 World Cup — 'Nothing from the US has told them they can't come' — but drew a hard line: anyone with ties to the IRGC (designated by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization) will be denied entry. 'They can't bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend they are journalists and athletic trainers,' Rubio said. President Trump added his administration 'would not want to affect the athletes.' The statement raised urgent concern about Iran's squad: Iran captain Mehdi Taremi (Inter Milan) served at an IRGC Navy base in Bushehr 2010–2012; multiple other squad members also completed mandatory IRGC service. Iran's Football Federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed replacement players have been identified for those denied visas. The statement is the clearest direct US government position on Iran participation and came exactly 6 days before the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April 30 — the formal decision point.