Iran Football Federation chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday he would meet FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the coming days to seek assurances that Iran will be treated with respect during the World Cup in the United States, as rising political tensions cast doubt over the country’s participation in the tournament.
Then comes Taj’s planned talks with Infantino Canada denied him entry last week due to his former ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a force designated as a terrorist organization by both the US and Canada.
The development has heightened concerns in Iran’s soccer establishment ahead of the World Cup, where Melli’s team is expected to be based in the US and play all three matches in the group stage.
Speaking to state-run IRIB television in Tehran, Taj warned that Iran could reconsider participating in the tournament if FIFA did not guarantee what he described as respect for the country and its institutions.
“We will tell FIFA what our expectations are. If they can reach them, we will definitely participate,” Taj said. “But if there is no guarantee, then no one has the right to insult us or the pillars of our system. If this path of disrespect continues, we may decide otherwise.”
The matter has added a political dimension to Iran’s World Cup preparations at a time when tensions around the country have already escalated following the conflict sparked by US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei backed Taj’s position on Wednesday, saying FIFA and the host countries have a responsibility to ensure Iran can compete without political interference.
“Our national soccer team is not only traveling to the United States, but is going there to participate in the FIFA World Cup,” Baghaei told reporters in Tehran. “Host governments have a clear obligation under FIFA regulations to provide the necessary arrangements and visas without political motives.”
Regardless of the uncertainty off the pitch, Taj said Iran will announce a preliminary 30-man squad this week before adjusting it to the final 26 after a training camp in Turkey.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team plans to arrive in the U.S. two weeks before the tournament begins, although efforts to hold warm-up matches have met with setbacks and several teams reportedly pulled out at the last minute.
Iran are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, with Tucson, Arizona serving as the team’s tournament base.
For now, however, Iran’s World Cup preparations remain divided between football and diplomacy, with the federation seeking assurances from FIFA before fully committing to the tournament.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
07 May 2026 14:33 IST
