The Iranian football federation announced on Saturday that the men’s national team will proceed with its participation in the 2026 World Cup this summer. However, the governing body has issued a formal demand that host nations, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, meet specific conditions as regional tensions persist following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
This ultimatum follows a diplomatic standoff last month when Canada denied entry to the federation’s president ahead of the FIFA Congress. The refusal was based on his alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organization officially designated as a terrorist group by the Canadian government in 2024.
Iran’s involvement in the global tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, has been under a cloud of doubt since February following military strikes involving the United States and Israel, leading to heightened security concerns surrounding the Iranian delegation’s travel to North America.
“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the Iranian federation said on its official website.
“We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.”
Iran Sets 10 Demands Before Confirming Participation in FIFA World Cup 2026:
The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj told state TV on Friday that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the global spectacle, seeking assurances over the country’s treatment.
The conditions include visas being granted and respect for the national team staff, the team’s flag and its national anthem during the tournament, as well as demands for high security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums where they will play.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that Iran’s footballers would be welcome at the tournament.
But he warned that the US may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation with ties to the IRGC, which it also designates as a terrorist organisation.
“All players and technical staff, especially those who have served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problems,” said Iranian football chief Taj.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled.
Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
“No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit,” the Iranian federation said on Saturday.
(With inputs from AFP)
