Iran Says They Will Play in World Cup, Demands Hosts Accept Conditions
Iran’s federation seeks visas, security and respect for national symbols as it prepares for its first World Cup match against New Zealand.
- On Saturday, the Iranian football federation announced their national team will compete in the 2026 World Cup, demanding that co-hosts the United States, Mexico, and Canada meet 10 specific conditions amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
- Tensions persist after Canada refused entry to FFIRI president Mehdi Taj last month before the FIFA Congress because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , which Canada designated as a terror group in 2024.
- On Friday, FFIRI president Taj outlined the 10 conditions to state TV, including visa guarantees for players like Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi who served in the IRGC, plus high security at airports, hotels, and stadium routes.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Iranian footballers are welcome, but the United States may bar delegation members with ties to the IRGC; FIFA chief Gianni Infantino confirmed games will proceed as scheduled.
- Iran faces New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G and is scheduled to be based in Tucson, Arizona, for the tournament, opening their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Federation calls for guarantees amidst the context of war in the Middle East
The Football Federation of Iran has confirmed that it will participate in the World Cup to be held this summer...
Iran says it will participate in World Cup, demands hosts meet its conditions
Iran's football federation announces that the men's national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but demands that the joint hosts, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, agree to its conditions.
A few weeks after the start of the 2026 World Cup, Iran confirmed that its selection will play the FIFA tournament, and took advantage of the announcement to send a message to Donald Trump, president of the United States.The Iranian Football Federation clarified that “no foreign power, like the United States, can prevent its participation in a tournament that they ranked on the court.Iran calls for respect during its participation in the World C…
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