The team’s presence in the tournament has been in doubt since the start of the war in the Middle East in February, following attacks by the United States and Israel
A Iran Football Federation (FIRRI) confirmed this Saturday (9) the participation of your team in the World Cup which will begin in a month, but required the host countries (United States, Mexico and Canada) to accept its conditions, amid the war in the Middle East.
The announcement comes after Canadian immigration authorities deny entry in his territory of the FFIRI president last month, before the FIFA Congress, due to his links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (ICG), ideological arm of the Iranian armed forceswhich the Canadian government classified as a terrorist group in 2024.
Iran’s presence in the tournament, which will be played from June 11 to July 19, was in doubt since the start of the war in the Middle East in February, following attacks by the United States and Israel.
“We will certainly be at the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account”, says the note published by FFIRI on its website.
“We will participate in the tournament, but without any setback in relation to our beliefs, culture and convictions”, adds the text.
FFIRI President Mehdi Taj declared on state television on Friday that the Iranian government has ten demands to participate in the tournament, seeking guarantees about the treatment the delegation will receive.
As conditions include the granting of visas and respect for the members of the national teamthe team flag and the national anthem during the tournament, as well as high security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums.
The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio stated that Iranian players will be well receivedbut warned that the United States may still deny entry to members of the delegation with ties to the CGRI, also considered a terrorist organization by Washington.
“All players and coaching staff, especially those who completed their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, will have to receive visas without any problem,” Taj reiterated.
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, from the World Cup in the United Statesas expected.
Iran, which will be concentrated in the city of Tucson, Arizona, debuts in the competition against New Zealand on June 15, in Los Angeles, where it will also face Belgium six days later.
On the 27th, the team ends its participation in the group stage against Egypt, in Seattle.
“No external force can deprive Iran of participating in a World Cup for which it qualified with merit”, concludes the FFIRI.
