Iran FA demands guarantees over IRGC respect before travelling to United States
Tehran
The head of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, has called on FIFA to provide firm guarantees regarding the treatment of Iranian representatives before the team travels to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Taj said assurances are essential to ensure that symbols of Iran’s political system, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, are respected during the visit. His remarks come amid rising tensions following an incident in Canada, where an Iranian delegation reportedly faced issues at the border while attempting to attend a FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Although Taj stated that the delegation chose to return voluntarily, Canadian authorities later confirmed that his visa had been cancelled mid-flight due to alleged links with the IRGC, which Canada designated a terrorist entity in 2024, following a similar move by the United States years earlier.
In response, FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström has invited Iranian officials to Zurich on May 20 to address concerns and discuss World Cup preparations. Taj indicated that Iran would seek “clear and binding guarantees” during the meeting to avoid a repeat of the Canada episode when travelling to the US.
“We are going to the World Cup as a qualified team, and FIFA is our host—not any individual country,” Taj said, stressing that a lack of assurances could even result in Iran refusing entry at the US border.
The issue is further complicated by Washington’s stance that, while Iranian players are welcome to compete, individuals with links to the IRGC may face restrictions. The geopolitical backdrop has already cast uncertainty over Iran’s participation, especially following recent regional tensions.
Despite these challenges, Iran continues preparations for the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The national team is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in the group stage.
With global attention on both football and diplomacy, Iran’s World Cup campaign now hinges not only on performance but also on navigating complex international relations.
