Iran has reportedly issued a list of demands to FIFA and the United States government before agreeing to participate in the 2026 World Cup, amid mounting political tensions surrounding the tournament. The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) stated that the national side would take part 'without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions.' It also warned that tournament organisers and host nations 'must take our concerns into account.'
Background of Tensions
The statement comes after federation president Mehdi Taj was refused entry into Canada ahead of last month’s FIFA Congress, a move that has intensified fears over how Iranian officials and players could be treated during the competition. Taj later disclosed that Iran had submitted 10 separate conditions to FIFA ahead of the expanded tournament, which begins on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Key Demands
Among the key requests are guarantees that every member of the Iranian delegation—including players, coaching staff, and officials—will be granted visas to travel freely between host nations during the competition. This issue is particularly sensitive because some members of the delegation are understood to have completed military service linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organisation designated as a terrorist group by both Canada and the United States. Taj’s reported connections to the IRGC were cited as one of the reasons Canadian authorities blocked his entry before the FIFA gathering.
Iran is also seeking formal assurances over how the team will be treated throughout the tournament, including guarantees surrounding the Iranian flag and national anthem, along with heightened security protection at airports, hotels, and stadiums.
Challenges Beyond FIFA's Authority
However, several of Tehran’s demands are beyond FIFA’s authority, as issues involving visas, border entry, and security screenings are governed by US immigration and national security laws rather than football regulations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already said Iranian footballers would be permitted to compete at the World Cup, though he warned that individuals with ties to the IRGC could still encounter restrictions when attempting to enter the country.
Geopolitical Context
The situation leaves FIFA caught between guaranteeing the participation of qualified nations and navigating increasingly fraught relations between Tehran and Washington. Israel and the US carried out large-scale strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and Gulf states allied to Washington. In March, Iran then claimed it would not take part in the FIFA World Cup, citing safety concerns after the strikes. Trump said at the time that Iran would be 'welcome' at the tournament, though he signalled he felt they should not be involved 'for their own life and safety.'
