Iran has declared its intention to participate in this summer’s World Cup, but only if specific conditions are met by FIFA and the United States, amidst escalating political tensions that are impacting the tournament.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) emphasized that their team will compete while staunchly adhering to their “beliefs, culture, and convictions.”
They also cautioned that tournament organizers and hosting countries need to seriously consider their concerns.
This announcement follows the incident where federation president Mehdi Taj was denied entry into Canada before last month’s FIFA Congress, raising worries about the potential treatment of Iranian officials and players during the event.
Taj revealed that Iran has outlined 10 distinct conditions to FIFA for the expanded tournament, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Among the primary demands is the assurance that all members of the Iranian delegation, including players, coaching staff, and officials, will be granted visas to move freely between the host countries throughout the tournament.
That 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.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) said the national side would take part ‘without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions’
Trump previouly said that Iran would be ‘welcome’ at the tournament, though he signalled he felt they should not be involved ‘for their own life and safety’
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.
While FIFA may be able to oversee matters relating to tournament operations, official ceremonies and team protocols, some of Tehran’s demands lie beyond football’s governing body’s control.
Questions surrounding visas, border access, and security checks ultimately fall under US immigration and national security laws rather than FIFA 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.
The situation leaves FIFA caught between guaranteeing the participation of qualified nations and navigating increasingly fraught relations between Tehran and Washington.
The diplomatic backdrop has become even more volatile in recent months.
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’.
Although a ceasefire is currently in place, it remains fragile.
Some of the Iranian federation’s other requests could also prove difficult to manage once the tournament begins.
Iranian officials have reportedly urged journalists to limit questioning to ‘technical football matters’ – a request likely to face resistance given the political scrutiny surrounding the national side.
In Iran’s case, football and politics have repeatedly intertwined, with issues such as squad selection, fan demonstrations and player conduct often taking on wider political significance.
That tension was highlighted during the women’s Asian Cup in Australia earlier this year, when several Iranian players attempted to seek asylum.
Seven members of the squad were granted humanitarian visas while in Australia, although five later reversed their decision and returned to Iran.
Men’s national team coach Amir Ghalenoei has since admitted that politically charged atmospheres could accompany some of Iran’s matches during the World Cup.
Despite the growing controversy, there is currently no sign that Iran plans to pull out of the tournament.
