Iran confirms World Cup participation, seeks FIFA’s guarantee over team safety
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) says it has submitted a 10-point set of conditions to FIFA to ensure the safety of its delegation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which begins next month.
In a statement on Saturday, the FFIRI president, Mehdi Taj, confirmed that Iran would participate in the tournament but maintained that the United States, where the Islamic Republic is set to play all its group-stage matches, must ensure the safety of the Iranian team members.
“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account. We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.”
Mr Taj had told state TV on Friday that the conditions Tehran was demanding include visas being granted and respect for the national team staff, the team’s flag and its national anthem during the tournament.
The country also demanded that team officials who have completed military service with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) receive visas and request high security at airports, hotels, and along routes to the stadiums where they will play.
However, the IRGC is currently listed as a terrorist organisation by the Canadian and American governments, leaving FIFA in a delicate position.
Meanwhile, the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that Iranian players would be allowed into the country but warned that individuals with IRGC links could face restrictions.
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