Iran Demands FIFA Guarantees for 2026 World Cup Officials

Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), has demanded that FIFA provide guarantees regarding the treatment of Iranian officials linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) before the 2026 World Cup. This request arises amid rising diplomatic tensions and uncertainty surrounding visa issues for Iranian officials traveling to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Concerns have been heightened following an incident earlier in the month when a FFIRI delegation was denied entry at Toronto's main airport due to treatment by Canadian immigration, which caused them to miss a pre-World Cup FIFA gathering in Vancouver. Taj referred to this incident while addressing state broadcaster IRIB, emphasizing the need for FIFA to ensure the safety and respectful treatment of Iran's delegation as they prepare for the tournament.