2026 World Cup: Iran sets strict conditions for host countries to participate in the World Cup

The president of the Iranian Football Federation has stated that Tehran has set ten conditions to participate in the 2026 World Cup, demanding guarantees regarding the treatment reserved for the country. These conditions include granting visas, respecting the staff, the Iranian flag, the national anthem, and security measures.

The Iranian Football Federation asserted on Saturday that the national men’s team would indeed participate in the 2026 World Cup, while insisting that the host countries – United States, Mexico, and Canada – accept its conditions in the context of the Middle East conflict.

This demand comes after Canada rejected last month the entry of the president of the Iranian Football Federation into its territory before the FIFA Congress, due to his ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated as a terrorist organization by Ottawa in 2024.

“We will participate in the tournament but without giving up our beliefs, culture, and convictions,” the Iranian Football Federation declared on its official site.

The participation of Iran in the tournament, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, has been surrounded by uncertainties since the start of the Middle East conflict in late February after strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. “We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the host countries must take into account our concerns,” the Iranian federation stated.

“We will participate in the tournament but without giving up our beliefs, culture, and convictions,” it added, affirming that “no external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a competition for which it has qualified on merit.”

President of the federation, Mehdi Taj, stated on Friday that Tehran had set ten conditions to participate in the event, demanding guarantees about the treatment reserved for the country. These conditions include granting visas, respecting the staff, the Iranian flag, and the national anthem. Tehran also requests a high level of security in airports, hotels, and on the routes leading to the stadiums where the team will play.

American Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that Iranian footballers would be welcome, but warned that the United States could refuse entry to certain members of the Iranian delegation with links to the Revolutionary Guards, also classified as a terrorist organization by Washington.

“All players and technical staff, especially those who have served in the Revolutionary Guards… should obtain visas without any issues,” demanded the president of the Iranian Football Federation.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reaffirmed that Iran would play its World Cup matches in the United States as planned. Iran, which is set to be based in Tucson, Arizona, will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G.