Iran Seeks FIFA And US, Canada, Mexico Guarantees For 2026 World Cup Participation

Iran’s national team will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, but the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has formally asked FIFA and the tournament’s host nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico, for guarantees before the competition begins on June 11.

In a statement released Saturday, FFIRI insisted Iran would participate “without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions,” while warning that the hosts “must take our concerns into account.”

Al Jazeera

The demands follow the refusal of entry to FFIRI president Mehdi Taj by Canada ahead of last month’s FIFA Congress, with Canadian authorities citing his past links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Taj later revealed that Iran had submitted 10 conditions to FIFA regarding its participation, including guarantees that all Iranian players, coaches and officials will receive visas to enter host countries.

The federation also sought assurances on treatment of the national team throughout the tournament, including respect for the Iranian flag and national anthem, and increased security measures at airports, hotels and stadiums.

FFIRI president Mehdi Taj said the hosts must take Iran’s concerns into account, and the BBC reported that the demands come after Taj was denied entry to Canada before last month’s FIFA Congress.

Taj told state television that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the World Cup, seeking assurances over how the country’s treatment will be handled, and the Sunday Guardian quoted the federation’s message that “We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account.”

BBC

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament, but warned that the United States could still deny entry to members of the Iranian delegation with ties to the IRGC.

In response to the growing controversy, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled, while the Sunday Guardian reported that Iran is due to be based in Tucson, Arizona during the World Cup.

The Sunday Guardian also said Iran’s opening match is against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, placing the team in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.

The federation’s 10 conditions include guarantees that all players, coaches and officials will receive visas, including those who completed military service connected to the IRGC, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States and Canada.

The BBC added that Iran is also seeking assurances over the treatment of the national team, including respect for the Iranian flag and national anthem, as well as enhanced security at airports, hotels and stadiums during the tournament.

The BBC further framed the practical stakes by noting that “questions involving visas, border controls and security vetting ultimately remain under US jurisdiction rather than Fifa regulations.”

In parallel, the Iranian federation warned it would not back down on participation unless guarantees are met, with the Yemen Press account quoting Taj: “if this disrespectful approach continues, or if such questions are directed at our players, we may make a different decision.”

With the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19, the next step described in the sources is negotiations and preparation around participation conditions, including the federation’s stated intent to attend while seeking formal commitments from FIFA and the host governments.