Iran sets 10 conditions for participating in the 2026 World Cup

The Iranian Football Federation has confirmed that the Iranian national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup finals, despite political tensions and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, whilst stressing the need for the tournament’s host nations — the United States, Canada and Mexico — to take “Tehran’s concerns” into account.

The Iranian Federation’s stance came after Canadian authorities refused last month to grant Federation President Mehdi Taj a visa to attend the FIFA Congress, on the grounds that he has links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Ottawa has classified as a “terrorist organisation” since 2024.

In a statement published on its official website, the Iranian Football Federation confirmed that the national team would “definitely” participate in the 2026 World Cup, but called on the host nations to take Iran’s concerns into account and ensure respect for the “beliefs, culture and convictions” of the Iranian delegation during the tournament.

The participation of Iran in the World Cup, scheduled to take place between 11 June and 19 July 2026, has been the subject of speculation since the outbreak of war following the US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February.

Iran’s conditions for participating in the 2026 World Cup

Iran’s demands included the granting of visas to all national team players and coaching staff without any obstacles or exceptions, as well as ensuring that the delegation is not subjected to any interrogations or exceptional procedures after the visas have been issued.

Iran also demanded that entry be facilitated for Iranian journalists and fans into the host countries, and that the Iranian flag be respected inside stadiums during tournament matches, in addition to ensuring that the national anthem is played in full and without interruption.

The conditions also included providing a high level of security protection for the national team’s delegation at airports, hotels and stadiums, and ensuring the team’s transport between their accommodation and the match venues in an organised and safe manner.

Tehran also emphasised the need to respect the national team’s technical and administrative staff during the tournament, and to limit questions at press conferences to technical matters only, without delving into political issues.

The demands concluded by emphasising that there should be no discrimination against any member of the Iranian delegation, including players who have completed their military service in official capacities, with a strong emphasis on ensuring they are treated normally throughout the tournament.

Iran is expected to base its training camp in Tucson during the tournament, where it will compete in Group G alongside Egypt, Belgium and New Zealand, kicking off its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June.

Featured image via LeMonde

By Alaa Shamali

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