Iran is pursuing formal assurances from FIFA regarding the treatment of its national football team and delegation during the upcoming World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. This move comes amid escalating diplomatic and security concerns surrounding the tournament.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, confirmed that a meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino is scheduled within the next three to four days. During this meeting, Tehran intends to address its concerns about how Iranian players, officials, and supporters will be treated throughout the event.
The situation intensified after Canada refused entry to Taj, citing his alleged connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organization designated as terrorist by both Canada and the United States. This refusal has heightened political tensions ahead of the global sporting event.
Taj emphasized that Iran is seeking official guarantees to ensure protection from political interference and equal treatment in line with FIFA regulations. He warned that without such assurances, Iran could reconsider its participation. “We will present our expectations to FIFA. If they are met, we will definitely take part,” Taj stated. “But without guarantees, no one should expect us to accept any disrespect toward our country or its institutions.”
He also cautioned that Iran might withdraw if players or officials face inappropriate questioning or discriminatory treatment during the tournament process. The IRGC’s political status complicates matters further, as the group is blacklisted by both the U.S. and Canada, potentially affecting visa approvals for individuals with past or present affiliations, including some Iranian sports administrators.
Supporting the federation’s stance, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stressed that hosting responsibilities carry legal obligations under FIFA rules. He noted, “The national team is not simply visiting the United States; it is participating in a FIFA-organized event. Therefore, FIFA must ensure all necessary arrangements, including visa issuance, are handled without political interference.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s preparations for the World Cup continue despite the diplomatic challenges. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei announced that a preliminary 30-player squad will be revealed this week, to be reduced to 26 after a training camp in Turkey.
The team plans to arrive in the U.S. about two weeks before their opening match for final preparations. Ghalenoei expressed a desire to arrange two or three friendly matches ahead of the tournament, but scheduling has been difficult due to last-minute cancellations by potential opponents.
Consequently, Iran will conduct an additional training phase in Tehran before traveling to Turkey on May 16, where they previously played friendlies against Costa Rica and Nigeria earlier this year. Iran’s World Cup campaign will begin on June 15 with a group-stage match against New Zealand in Los Angeles. The team will be based at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, for final preparations and recovery sessions during the tournament.
