Iran says will play in World Cup, demands hosts accept conditions

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TEHRAN: The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) has officially confirmed that its men's national team will compete in the 2026 World Cup this summer. Despite regional instability and the eruption of war in the Middle East in February 2026, Tehran maintains that its team will participate without compromising its cultural or political convictions. 

This decision follows a period of uncertainty regarding the team’s presence at the tournament, which is scheduled to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

However, the federation has conditioned its participation on the hosts meeting ten specific demands. Central to these conditions is the issuance of visas for all players and technical staff. 

This is a particular point of contention because Canada recently refused entry to the FFIRI chief due to his links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a group designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and Canada. 

Iranian officials specifically demand that players who served their mandatory military service within the IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, be granted entry without complications.

Beyond visa issues, Iran is seeking formal assurances regarding the treatment of its national symbols and the safety of its delegation. The FFIRI has requested that the national flag and anthem be afforded full respect during the tournament and that high-level security be provided at airports, hotels, and match venues. 

While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the players are welcome, he noted that the U.S. may still bar entry to certain delegation members with IRGC ties. Currently, Iran is slated to be based in Tucson, Arizona, and will begin its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.