FIFA holds talks with Iran over 2026 World Cup participation in US

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom has expressed confidence that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite ongoing regional tensions and concerns surrounding visas and entry arrangements.

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Speaking after a meeting with Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday, May 16, Grafstrom described the talks as “excellent” and “constructive”. “We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association,” Grafstrom told Reuters. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”

Iran are scheduled to play all three of their Group G matches in the United States during the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. However, uncertainty has surrounded Iran’s participation since the escalation of conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States earlier this year.

Additional concerns emerged after Iranian football officials were reportedly denied entry into Canada for a FIFA Congress event held in Vancouver. An Iranian delegation led by Taj was turned back upon arrival at Toronto airport, with officials citing alleged mistreatment by immigration authorities despite holding valid visas.

The incident raised fears over whether members of Iran’s football delegation could encounter similar difficulties entering the United States ahead of the World Cup. Canada designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation in 2024, and Canadian officials reportedly linked Taj’s denial of entry to alleged associations with the IRGC.

Although Grafstrom declined to provide details regarding visa arrangements for Iran’s players and officials, he confirmed that operational matters had been discussed during the Istanbul meeting. “We’ve discussed all relevant matters, but I think it’s not the place to discuss the details,” he said. “Overall, a very positive meeting and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialogue.”

Taj also described the discussions as productive and said FIFA officials addressed all concerns raised by the Iranian federation.

“I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them,” he said. “I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there.”

Iran had previously requested that their World Cup matches be moved to Mexico due to concerns over playing in the United States, but Gianni Infantino reportedly insisted that all fixtures would remain at their originally scheduled venues.

Iran’s national team, known as Team Melli, is expected to leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkiye before travelling to their base camp at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Iran are set to begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium and Egypt in Group G.

Meanwhile, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei defended his provisional 30-man squad selection amid controversy surrounding the omission of star striker Sardar Azmoun.

Azmoun, who has previously voiced support for anti-government protesters, was recently accused of “treason” by Iranian state media after appearing in a photograph alongside the Emir of Dubai. “I swear before God that nothing other than technical criteria played a role in the selection of the players, and I chose the 30 players solely on that basis,” Ghalenoei said.

Iran have now qualified for their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup finals.