FIFA Reassures Iran on 2026 World Cup Participation

FIFA Secretary General Mattia Grafström is scheduled to meet with officials from the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Istanbul on Saturday. The purpose of this meeting is to reassure Iranian officials regarding their qualification and participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Concerns about Iran's participation have arisen due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly following recent armed conflicts involving Israel. Mehdi Taj, the President of the Iranian Football Association, has denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress, citing alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Canada.

Consequently, these countries have imposed severe entry restrictions on individuals connected to the IRGC. Iranian officials have demanded that FIFA guarantee their participation in the tournament without discrimination.

Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, warned that entry restrictions on Iranian players could affect the tournament's reputation. Despite reports suggesting that Iran requested to move games to Mexico, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained the idea of hosting games in the U.S.

Iran is scheduled to depart for a training camp in Turkey prior to the World Cup, with their first match against New Zealand set for June 15 in Los Angeles.