Iran confirms World Cup participation, demands hosts accept conditions
Iran's presence at the tournament, which will take place between 11 June and 19 July, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the US and Israel.
The Iranian football federation today (9 May) said the men's national team will take part in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but demanded that joint hosts – United States, Mexico and Canada – agree to its conditions amid the Middle East war, reports AFP.
The call comes after Canada refused entry to the federation's chief last month before the FIFA Congress because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological arm of Iran's military, which it designated as a terror group in 2024.
Iran's presence at the tournament, which will take place between 11 June and 19 July, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the US and Israel.
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"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," it added.
Iranian football federation President Mehdi Taj told state TV yesterday 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 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 15 June.
"No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit," the Iranian football federation said.
