Iran has confirmed it still intends to compete at the upcoming FIFA World Cup but is seeking a series of assurances from FIFA and tournament hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico amid rising political tensions.
The Iranian Football Federation outlined 10 conditions tied to the team’s participation, including guarantees that all players and officials will receive visas, even those linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is designated as a terrorist organisation in the US and Canada.
Iran is also demanding protections for its national symbols and enhanced security for its delegation throughout the tournament. The dispute intensified after federation president Mehdi Taj was refused entry into Canada before last month’s FIFA Congress.
While FIFA may be able to oversee tournament protocols and security arrangements, visa approvals and border controls remain under US and Canadian authority.
The issue highlights the increasingly fraught intersection between football and geopolitics, with tensions between Tehran and Washington continuing to cast a shadow over preparations for the expanded 2026 tournament.
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