Iran’s national team is still waiting on visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with their participation hanging in the balance.
As the U.S. and Israel continue to strike the country, Iran’s soccer federation president Mehdi Taj has entered into negotiations with FIFA over rescheduling games. The move came amid growing concerns over the team’s safety — fears
Iran was notably the only nation absent from the congress after a delegation of Iranian FA (FFIRI) officials — including Taj — were refused entry into Canada. The country’s immigration minister revealed that Taj’s visa was cancelled while he was mid-flight due to his connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The situation has intensified questions over whether Iran is welcome to compete in either the United States or Canada. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that her country would have no issue hosting Iran’s games should FIFA give the green light.
The FFIRI recently submitted a list of 10 conditions to FIFA regarding their participation at the World Cup, among them a demand that players, coaches, and officials who have completed military service with the IRGC be granted visas.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Iranian players will be welcomed at the tournament, though individuals with ties to the IRGC could face restrictions on entry.
Iran is tentatively on course to appear in their fourth consecutive World Cup, having cruised through Asian qualifying. The team has yet to advance beyond the group stage of the tournament.