Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said Iran’s national team will travel to the 2026 World Cup only if FIFA and the United States guarantee they will not insult the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or other national symbols.
The warning follows an incident last week when an FFIRI delegation, including Taj, turned back at the Canadian border en route to the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. Canada confirmed that officials cancelled Taj’s visa mid-flight due to his previous senior role in the IRGC.
Taj told state broadcaster IRIB that FIFA, as the tournament’s official host, must guarantee respect for military institutions to avoid another incident like the one in Canada.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will see Iran play two group games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iranian players are welcome, but officials will prevent anyone with IRGC ties from entering.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom invited the FFIRI to Zurich on May 20 for emergency talks regarding tournament preparations and visa cooperation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran will compete in Group G as scheduled.
Iran’s national team is currently training in Tehran, with plans for a friendly match in Türkiye later this month, pending the outcome of the Zurich meeting.
