The Trump administration says it is watching a growing security concern at the northern border as the United States hosts the 2026 World Cup.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned Sunday that Iranian nationals with alleged ties to Iran’s hardline regime have been trying to enter the United States from Canada.
Mullin made the comments during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” according to Mediaite. He said the issue has become serious enough that DHS is now actively involved.
According to Mullin, some of the people being stopped are not typical migrants or travelers seeking to enter the country for ordinary reasons. He said some have direct links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, a powerful military and political force within Iran.
Mullin said authorities have seen an “unusual amount” of Iranian nationals attempting to cross into the United States through the northern border.
“We’ve seen an unusual amount of Iranian nationals trying to sneak in through the northern — not southern border, because President Trump’s policies have closed the southern border,” Mullin said.
He said arrests involving Iranian nationals at the U.S.-Canada border have been increasing. Mullin also credited Canadian officials with helping identify and apprehend people of concern.
🚨 WOW! DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin reveals Iran tried SNEAKING IN IRGC individuals to the World Cup
Not on the Trump admin’s watch!
“The World Cup, Iran has a team…the rest of the individuals Iran tried to bring in had DIRECT TIES to the IRGC. These games Iran plays… pic.twitter.com/yRFFW7XOxS
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 21, 2026
“We’ve seen arrests go up daily on Iranian nationals, and we have a good partnership with our Canadian partners that have been able to help apprehend them too,” Mullin said.
He added that the trend has raised alarms inside the administration.
“But it’s worrisome, because the amount of influx we see and the amount of connections we have when we capture the people that they have direct ties to the IRGC,” he said.
Bartiromo pressed Mullin on whether the people being detained were fleeing Iran or whether they had connections to Tehran’s government.
Mullin said the administration had limited the number of people Iran was allowed to bring into the country with its World Cup soccer team. He said the number approved was roughly half of what other nations were permitted.
“The rest of the individuals that Iran had tried to bring in, all also had direct ties to the IRGC and aren’t their normal traveling group,” Mullin said.
He argued that Iran’s behavior showed why the regime could not be trusted.
“So these games that Iran plays, unfortunately, makes them an adversary that you can’t trust,” he said.
Iran’s national team is scheduled to play Egypt on Friday in Seattle, according to Yahoo Sports. The match comes as federal officials say they are paying close attention to border activity and potential security risks tied to the tournament.
