The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran has stated that the country will definitely participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but demands guarantees from the tournament organizers regarding visa issuance and the treatment of the Iranian delegation. This was reported by the Associated Press with reference to Iranian media, according to UNN.
Details
The President of the Football Federation of Iran, Mehdi Taj, emphasized that Tehran is paying special attention to team members and coaching staff who served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"All players and technical staff, especially those who performed military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, must be issued visas without problems,"
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. At the same time, Iranian citizens remain under entry restrictions that have been in effect in the US following decisions by the Donald Trump administration.
Iran demands respect for flag and anthem
According to Taj, Iran has already presented FIFA with a series of conditions regarding participation in the tournament. These include security guarantees, visa issuance, and proper treatment of Iranian footballers, officials, the national flag, and the anthem.
Iran will play in the USA at the 2026 FIFA World Cup - FIFA President30.04.26, 22:54
"The Islamic Republic will participate without retreating from its beliefs, culture, and convictions,"
The discussion surrounding visas intensified after Canadian authorities last month barred Taj himself from entering the country for the FIFA Congress due to his possible ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the US and Canada have designated as a terrorist organization.
The issue could also affect one of the leaders of the Iranian national team – striker and team captain Mehdi Taremi, who completed mandatory military service within the structures of the Revolutionary Guard.