Iran’s Football Federation, yesterday, demanded formal guarantees from FIFA to protect its national team delegation during the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, reports shafaq.com.
 
“FIFA must ensure the Iranian delegation faces no mistreatment or indignity on U.S. soil,” federation president Mehdi Taj said, citing ongoing political tensions between Tehran and Washington.
 
Last week, an Iranian football delegation, including Taj, was turned away at the Canadian border while attempting to enter Vancouver for FIFA’s General Assembly meeting. Members of the delegation described their treatment by immigration officials as “inappropriate.”
 
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously stated that Iran will participate normally in the World Cup, including matches held inside the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump has also said he has no objection to Iran’s participation.

The 2026 edition is the largest in World Cup history, featuring 48 national teams for the first time. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
 
Taj said that their World Cup host “is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America” and called for respect towards the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) if the national team is to travel to the United States for this summer’s tournament.
 
There remains uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the World Cup because of the war with the U.S. and Israel.
 
Iran are scheduled to play two games in Los Angeles, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, and then Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
 
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that no one with ties to the IRGC would be admitted to the country.
 
“We are going to the World Cup, for which we qualified, and our host is FIFA – not Mr Trump or America,” Taj said.
 
“If they accept hosting us, then they must also accept that they must not insult our military institutions in any way.
 
“Because if they do, then naturally it could create the same kind of situation that happened in Canada, where there was a possibility we might have to return.

“So there must be this kind of guarantee so that we can go with peace of mind.”