Iran sets terms for joining the World Cup

On Saturday, Iran’s football federation announced that the men’s national team will compete in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but insisted that co-hosts the United States, Mexico, and Canada meet its conditions amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The call follows Canada’s decision last month to deny entry to the federation’s chief ahead of the FIFA Congress, due to his ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological branch of Iran’s military, which was labeled 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 eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.

“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 involve granting visas, showing respect for the national team staff, their flag, and anthem during the tournament, along with ensuring high security at airports, hotels, and along the routes to the stadiums where they will compete.

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 United States 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.