Iran said on Sunday that it will “definitely” compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in the United States, as the country’s participation has been subject to speculation due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The Islamic Republic has demanded visas for the players and staff who served their military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran’s soccer federation insisted that tournament hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — consider Tehran’s concerns around the team’s travel and how it will be treated.
“All players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems,” Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran president Mehdi Taj said, according to Iranian media.
Tehran has also issued a definitive 10-point ultimatum to FIFA and the US, threatening to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup unless strict demands regarding visas and security for its delegation are met within a tightening deadline.
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) escalated the diplomatic standoff on Sunday, insisting that the US government waive restrictions on several team officials and security personnel who previously served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The dispute intensified over Washington’s designation of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organisation, a classification that would typically trigger an automatic visa denial for anyone associated with the branch.
Iran Gives US A ‘List’ of Requirements
The Iranian federation has a list of demands for the US, which is described as an “all-or-nothing” proposition that challenges the fundamental hosting agreements between FIFA and the US.
Key among the requirements is the unconditional issuance of visas for all members of the Iranian contingent, regardless of their military background or prior government service. This move follows reports that several technical staff members were flagged during preliminary screening due to their history with the Revolutionary Guard.
In a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, Taj noted that Iran had presented conditions tied to participation that include guarantees over visas, security and treatment of Iranian players and officials. He added that the Islamic Republic would take part “without retreating from our beliefs, culture and convictions.”
His remarks come as the Canadian authorities last month denied him entry ahead of a FIFA Congress due to his ties to Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard. Iran has insisted that it needs assurances from FIFA that Iranian officials, players, national flag and anthem would be treated with respect during the World Cup.
Sources indicate that the US State Department is currently reviewing the applications but remains hesitant to provide a blanket waiver. “The integrity of our border security and legal designations remains a priority, even during international sporting events,” a source familiar with the matter told an agency, though FIFA has reportedly been lobbying the US government behind the scenes to find a “diplomatic carve-out” to avoid a high-profile tournament boycott.
‘Team Melli Will Compete’
Despite the looming war crisis in the Middle East, Iranian officials are projecting a posture of confidence, with the Iranian sports authorities adamant that the “Team Melli” will compete. They have also called for the players’ sovereignty to be respected. “Iran will definitely compete in the FIFA World Cup, provided our 10-point security and administrative framework is signed into effect,” a spokesperson for the FFIRI stated in a press release.
The spokesperson further noted that the team would not accept “second-class treatment” or “discriminatory vetting” from the American host cities.
The ultimatum also includes demands for specialised security zones for the Iranian team and an “unprecedented” level of protection against potential protesters or political activists during their stay in North America.
According to reports, the Iranian government has requested that its own security details, many of whom are the very individuals facing visa scrutiny, be allowed to carry sidearms and manage the inner perimeter of the team’s training facilities.
FIFA’s Mounting Pressure
The standoff places FIFA in a precarious position as it prepares for the largest World Cup in history, spanning the US, Canada, and Mexico. The governing body has historically mandated that host nations provide visa-free entry or guaranteed visas to all qualified participants. However, the unique legal landscape of US anti-terrorism laws has created a bottleneck that footballing officials are struggling to navigate.
If Iran’s ultimatum is not met, the FFIRI has hinted at organising a “counter-tournament” or seeking arbitration through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The controversy could affect Iran’s key players, including Mehdi Taremi, the team captain and a striker who had completed his mandatory military service in the IRGC. The Iranian team has drawn with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in Group G and opens the World Cup against New Zealand in Inglewood, next to Los Angeles. Iran has qualified for four consecutive World Cups and currently ranks No. 21 in the world.
