Geopolitical tensions have interfered with the 2018 FIFA World Cup as Nike has refused to provide cleats to the Iranian National team this year. The decision stems from President Donald Trump announcing a new set of sanctions on Iran last month after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal.

"The sanctions mean that, as a U.S. company, we cannot provide shoes to players in the Iran national team at this time," Nike said in a statement to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Even Swedish-born Iranian player Saman Ghoddos, who is sponsored by Nike, will be forced to wear another brand of cleats.

Although Iran is the highest-ranked team in the Asian Football Confederation, the organization has historically struggled in gaining sponsorships due to international sanctions. At the last World Cup, Adidas refused to outfit Iranian soccer players for similar reasons. This year, the German-based sports retailer has given the team a steep discount to buy uniforms, CNBC reported.

🤬 “We are disappointed that Nike has boycotted Iran’s World Cup players by refusing to provide shoes to the Iranian national team.” - @Jabdi

We expect better policies from @Nike and expect 🇮🇷#TeamMelli to be treated fairly! The Beautiful Game should be free from politics. pic.twitter.com/cI8baDmGxF

— PersianFootball.com 🇮🇷 (@FootballPersian) June 7, 2018

"For many Iranian Americans, the World Cup is a rare chance to put aside the politics that complicate our relationship with our ancestral homeland and just enjoy rooting for Team Melli," the National Iranian American Council told CNBC. "Nike is dragging politics back into the picture and souring what should be a global celebration. Nike was an outspoken opponent of Trump's Muslim ban that targets Iranians, yet now here they are helping enforce this new shameful policy against Iranians. We hope they will join us in pressing for the Trump administration to reverse course and ensure sports aren't turned into a political tool."

@Nike your serious? Sad day for the whole sports world. Mixing sport with politic WOW! #boycottnike #shameonyouhttps://t.co/FKHTG1QPX6

— Shahryar Sean Amini (@Shahryar_Amini) June 8, 2018

Iran's team manager Carlos Queiroz has called on FIFA, the sport's governing body, to step in. "Players get used to their sports equipment and it's not right to change them a week before such important matches," Queiroz said.

About 60% of the players competing in the World Cup will be wearing Nike’s cleats, the American sportswear brand said. Meanwhile, Adidas will be outfitting a dozen of the 32 teams competing, including the Iranian National team’s uniforms. In its first game in the World Cup, the Iranian National team plays Morocco on Friday.