Iran at the 2026 World Cup: Iranian federation confirms participation, but demands that the host accept the conditions

Iran’s football federation said on Saturday that the men’s national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but demanded that the joint host countries, the United States, Mexico and Canada, agree to its terms amid the war in West Asia.

The call comes after Canada denied the federation’s chief entry to last month’s FIFA congress because of his ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the ideological arm of Iran’s military, which the country designated a terrorist group in 2024.

Iran’s presence at the tournament, which will take place between June 11 and July 19, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the West Asia war broke out in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.

“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the Iranian federation said on its official website.

“We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and beliefs.”

The chairman of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, told state television on Friday that Tehran is imposing ten conditions for attending the global spectacle, seeking guarantees on the country’s treatment.

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The conditions include granting visas and respect for the national team staff, the team flag and the national anthem during the tournament, as well as requirements for high security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums where they will play.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that Iranian footballers will be welcome at the tournament.

But he warned that the US could still deny entry to members of the Iranian delegation with ties to the IRGC, which it also labels a terrorist organization.

“All players and coaching staff, especially those who completed their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps or IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problem,” Iranian football chief Taj said.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will play its World Cup matches in the United States as planned.

Iran, which will be based in Tucson, Arizona during the World Cup, faces New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G.

The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

“No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup for which it has qualified with merit,” the Iranian federation said on Saturday.

Published on May 9, 2026