Iran Vows to Participate in World Cup as Scheduled, Demands Host Nations Accept 10 Conditions
The Iranian Football Federation announced that its men's national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup as scheduled, but against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict, it is demanding that the three host nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—accept 10 conditions. These conditions include visa issuance, respect for the rights of team personnel, and strict security.
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 21:17
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(Central News Agency) Tehran, May 9 (CNA) – The Iranian Football Federation announced today that its men's national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for next month, but is demanding that the three host nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—accept 10 conditions amidst the Middle East conflict.
According to Agence France-Presse, Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), was denied entry to Canada last month when he traveled to attend the FIFA Global Congress, due to his association with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Canada designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization in 2024.
Uncertainty has clouded Iran's participation in the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, since the US and Israel launched an offensive against Iran in February, triggering the Middle East conflict.
The Iranian Football Federation stated on its official website: "We will certainly participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the host nations must take our concerns into consideration."
Taj told Iranian state television yesterday that Tehran has put forward 10 conditions to ensure the national team receives proper treatment.
These conditions include requirements such as issuing visas, respecting the rights of national team personnel, the team flag and national anthem, and providing strict security at airports, hotels, and en route to match venues.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized welcoming Iranian players to participate but also warned that the US might prohibit individuals associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from entering the country. The US also lists the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 for its first World Cup group stage match. (Compiler: Hong Pei-ying) 1150509
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According to Agence France-Presse, Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), was denied entry to Canada last month when he traveled to attend the FIFA Global Congress, due to his association with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Canada designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization in 2024.
Uncertainty has clouded Iran's participation in the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, since the US and Israel launched an offensive against Iran in February, triggering the Middle East conflict.
The Iranian Football Federation stated on its official website: "We will certainly participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the host nations must take our concerns into consideration."
Taj told Iranian state television yesterday that Tehran has put forward 10 conditions to ensure the national team receives proper treatment.
These conditions include requirements such as issuing visas, respecting the rights of national team personnel, the team flag and national anthem, and providing strict security at airports, hotels, and en route to match venues.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized welcoming Iranian players to participate but also warned that the US might prohibit individuals associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from entering the country. The US also lists the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 for its first World Cup group stage match. (Compiler: Hong Pei-ying) 1150509
Stand with facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.