Rubio: Iran Players Welcome at World Cup — But No IRGC-Linked Personnel; Taremi Visa Uncertain

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally clarified Washington's position on Iran's World Cup participation on April 24, telling reporters: 'Nothing from the US has told them they can't come' — but imposing a critical condition: no one with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Washington designates as a foreign terrorist organization, will be permitted entry. 'They can't bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,' Rubio said. President Trump added that his administration 'would not want to affect the athletes.' The statement raised immediate concern about Iran's squad composition: multiple national team players, including captain Mehdi Taremi (Inter Milan), completed mandatory IRGC military service — Taremi specifically served at an IRGC Navy base in Bushehr between 2010 and 2012. Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj confirmed that replacement players have already been identified for any who face visa denials. Rubio's statement is the clearest direct US government position on Iran's participation to date — confirming athletes can compete but drawing a hard red line on IRGC-affiliated delegation members — exactly 47 days before the June 11 opener and 6 days before the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.