FIFA Confirms Iran’s Participation in World Cup 2026 Amid Immigration Issues
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that Iran will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite facing diplomatic and immigration challenges.
The clarification came after the Iranian Football Federation was absent from the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
A three-member Iranian delegation arrived in Toronto earlier in the week, but one member was denied entry into Canada.
The two remaining delegates reportedly chose not to attend the congress.
Iranian media reported that IFF President Mehdi Taj was denied entry at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, despite having prior travel authorization.
FIFA officials called the situation a “regrettable circumstance” but stressed that Iran was formally invited to the event.
They also noted that decisions regarding entry were under the jurisdiction of Canadian authorities.
During the FIFA Congress, Secretary-General Mattias Grafström did not address Iran’s absence when calling the roll of 210 member associations.
Concerns about Iran’s participation had risen due to recent airstrikes by the United States and Israel.
Infantino, however, reaffirmed that Iran would still honor its scheduled fixtures against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
“Iran will indeed be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino stated.
He added, “Iran will compete in the United States of America, and football must bring people together amid global divisions.”
Iran’s World Cup journey will begin with a match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
Further games will take place in Seattle, with a possible knockout-stage match against the United States if both teams finish second in their respective groups.
Immigration concerns regarding Iranian officials persist.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Iranian players will be welcomed, but certain federation officials may face scrutiny due to their alleged ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed the cancellation of Taj’s temporary resident permit.
Taj, a former IRGC commander, has been linked to a group designated as a terrorist entity by Canada since 2024.
Despite the challenges, Infantino defended FIFA’s ticketing strategy, which has faced criticism over high prices.
He revealed that the tournament had received approximately 500 million ticket requests, with 90% of available tickets already sold.
“We have sold 100% of the tickets we’ve made available,” Infantino stated, promising that the revenues would be reinvested into global football development.
FIFA also reported that the projected revenues for the 2023–2026 cycle have reached $14 billion, a 20% increase compared to the previous cycle.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to be the largest in the tournament’s history.
Polity Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the tournament and its geopolitical implications.
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