Iran's soccer federation has confirmed the country will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but insists that tournament hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — address Tehran's concerns regarding travel and treatment of the team.
Visa Demands for Revolutionary Guard Members
Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran president Mehdi Taj stated, according to Iranian media, that "all players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems." This comes as the team represents a country in a fragile ceasefire with the United States after attacks on Iran on February 28 sparked by the U.S. and Israel. Iranian citizens are also subject to a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.
Conditions for Participation
In a statement carried by state-run IRNA news agency, Taj said Iran had presented conditions for participation, including guarantees over visas, security, and treatment of Iranian players and officials. He added that the Islamic Republic would take part "without retreating from our beliefs, culture and convictions." The remarks follow Canadian authorities denying entry to Taj last month ahead of a FIFA Congress, reportedly due to his past ties to the Revolutionary Guard, which both the U.S. and Canada designate as a terrorist organization.
Taj has repeatedly said Iran would seek assurances from FIFA that Iranian officials, players, national flag and anthem would be treated with respect during the World Cup.
Potential Impact on Key Players
Concerns over issuing visas to those who completed mandatory military service in the Guard had been raised previously. This could affect one of Iran's key players, Mehdi Taremi, team captain and striker, who completed his military service in the Guard. In Iran, conscripts can also be assigned to the police or army, often at random.
Iran's team has drawn with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in Group G and opens the World Cup against New Zealand in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. Iran has qualified for four consecutive World Cups and seven overall but has never advanced out of the group stage. Currently ranked No. 21 in the world, Iran lost just one match in Asian qualifying.
