Iran says it will play at 2026 World Cup if hosts address ‘concerns’
TL;DR
Iran's football federation confirmed participation in the 2026 World Cup, contingent on the hosts addressing its concerns. This announcement follows tensions related to the Middle East conflict and previous entry refusals in Canada.
Key points
- Iran's football federation confirmed participation in the 2026 World Cup
- Participation is contingent on addressing concerns with the hosts
- Tensions arise from the Middle East conflict and entry refusals in Canada
Mentioned in this story
Iran’s football federation has said the men’s national team will take part in the 2026 World Cup that begins in June, but demanded that joint hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada agree to its conditions amid the Middle East war.
The call on Saturday comes after Canada refused entry to the federation’s chief last month before the FIFA Congress because of his alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological arm of Iran’s military, which it designated as a “terrorist group” in 2024.
Iran’s presence at the tournament, which will take place between June 11 and July 19, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the US and Israel launched a war on the Middle East country in February.
“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the Iranian federation said on its official website.
“We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.”
The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told state TV on Friday that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the global spectacle, seeking assurances over the country’s treatment.
The conditions include visas being granted and respect for the national team staff, the team’s flag and its national anthem during the tournament, as well as demands for high security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums where they will play.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that Iran’s footballers would be welcome at the tournament.
But he warned that the US may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation with ties to the IRGC, which it also designates as a terrorist organisation.
“All players and technical staff, especially those who have served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problems,” said Iranian football chief Taj.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the US as scheduled.
Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
“No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit,” the Iranian federation said on Saturday.
Q&A
What conditions does Iran have for participating in the 2026 World Cup?
Iran demands that the joint hosts, the US, Mexico, and Canada, address its concerns before confirming participation in the tournament.
Why was Iran's football federation chief denied entry to Canada?
The chief was refused entry due to alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada designated as a terrorist group in 2024.
When will the 2026 World Cup take place?
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to occur from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
