DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's soccer federation announced on Saturday that the country will "definitely" participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The federation urged the tournament hosts, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, to address Tehran's concerns regarding visa issuance and the treatment of the Iranian team during the event.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, stated that all players and technical staff, particularly those who have served their military obligations with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without any complications. This assertion highlights the sensitive geopolitical context in which the team operates.
Iran's national soccer team represents a nation under a fragile ceasefire with the United States, following a series of tensions that escalated after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Additionally, Iranian citizens continue to grapple with a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration, adding layers to the difficulties faced by the team and its officials.
In statements broadcast by the state-run IRNA news agency, Taj emphasized that Iran had set conditions for its participation, which include guarantees related to visa issuance, security, and respectful treatment of Iranian players and officials. He asserted that Iran would compete in the tournament “without retreating from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.”
These assertions were echoed after a recent incident in which Canadian authorities denied entry to Taj prior to a FIFA Congress, reportedly due to his previous connections with Iran’s influential Revolutionary Guard, which is designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and Canada. This situation underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by Iranian officials and the precarious nature of their international interactions.
Taj has consistently expressed the need for FIFA to provide assurances that Iranian officials, players, the national flag, and the national anthem would be treated with dignity during the World Cup. This request is driven by concerns that the treatment of the team could be affected by FIFA's relationship with the host nations.
Issues surrounding visa issuance for those who completed mandatory military service in the Guard had been brought to light previously. This situation could potentially affect key players, including Mehdi Taremi, the team captain and striker, who has completed his military service in the Guard. In Iran, conscripts can be randomly assigned to various branches of the military, including the police and the army, further complicating the situation for players like Taremi.
The Iranian national soccer team is set to compete in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. They will kick off the World Cup against New Zealand in Inglewood, California, located adjacent to Los Angeles.
Iran has qualified for the World Cup seven times in total, with four consecutive qualifications in recent tournaments. Despite its consistent presence on the world stage, the team has yet to advance beyond the group stage. Currently, Iran is ranked No. 21 in the world and has lost only one match during the Asian qualifying rounds.
