Iran's football federation chief has said the national team is preparing to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but its presence depends on receiving firm guarantees from the governing body FIFA.
Speaking to state broadcaster IRIB on Tuesday, Mehdi Taj said participation would depend on securing assurances in a planned meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom to avoid issues similar to a recent incident in Canada.
Taj said Iranian officials expect guarantees that the team would not face entry restrictions or what he described as "disrespect," particularly toward Iran's state institutions.
"We have no issue with the United States. We are going to the World Cup because we qualified. Our host is FIFA, not any specific country," he said.
He added that Iran is planning two friendly matches in Türkiye and one in the United States ahead of the tournament.
Canada entry denial
The remarks come after Iranian football officials returned home without attending the FIFA Congress in Canada despite holding valid visas, according to Iranian media reports.
Taj and Secretary-General Hedayat Mombeini had travelled to attend an Asian Football Confederation meeting and the FIFA Congress in Canada, but were denied entry upon arrival.
Iranian media described the incident as politically motivated, while Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said it may not have been intentional.
FIFA later expressed regret over the incident and indicated a separate meeting with Iranian officials would be arranged.
The episode came ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in June.
Iran’s participation under cloud of uncertainty
US officials have said Iranian athletes are not expected to face restrictions, though some accompanying individuals could be affected.
The FIFA president has said Iran is expected to participate, noting the team has qualified for the tournament.
Recently, a senior US envoy proposed that Italy replace Iran in the tournament, but sports writers and fans in Italy quickly rejected the notion, saying qualification must be earned on the pitch, not through politics.
Iran has requested to move its matches to Mexico in the wake of the US-Israeli war, but Mexico — which said it was open to hosting Iran's matches — confirmed FIFA rejected the request.
Iran is scheduled to play all its Group G games — including Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand — in the US.
According to the team's fixtures on FIFA's website, Iran is set to play New Zealand on June 15 at Los Angeles Stadium, Belgium on June 21 at the same venue, and Egypt on June 26 at Seattle Stadium.
