Iran's football federation confirmed on Saturday that the country will "definitely" participate in the 2026 Fifa World Cup, but demanded that the tournament's hosts—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—address Tehran's concerns regarding travel and treatment of its team.
Visa Guarantees Sought for Guard Members
Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran president Mehdi Taj stated, according to Iranian media, that "all players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems." The team represents a nation in a fragile ceasefire with the US after attacks on Iran on 28 February sparked by the US and Israel. Iranian citizens are currently subject to a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.
In remarks carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, Taj said on Friday that Iran had presented conditions tied to participation, including 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."
Previous Denial of Entry Raises Concerns
The comments came after Canadian authorities denied entry to Taj last month ahead of a Fifa Congress, reportedly due to his past ties to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, which both the US and Canada have designated as a terrorist organisation. Taj has repeatedly stated that Iran would seek assurances from Fifa that Iranian officials, players, national flag, and anthem would be treated with respect during the World Cup.
Concerns over issuing visas to individuals who completed mandatory military service in the Guard had been raised previously. This matter could potentially affect one of Iran's key players, Mehdi Taremi, the team captain and a striker who completed his mandatory military service in the Guard. In Iran, conscripts may also be assigned to the police or army, often at random.
Iran's World Cup Prospects
Iran's team has drawn with Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt in Group G and opens the World Cup against New Zealand in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. Iran has qualified for four consecutive World Cups and seven overall but has never advanced out of the group stage. Currently ranked No. 21 in the world, Iran lost just one match in Asian qualifying.
