FIFA has invited the Iranian football federation to its Zurich headquarters for discussions regarding Iran’s participation at the upcoming World Cup, according to a source who spoke to AFP on Tuesday.
Iran’s place at the tournament, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, has faced uncertainty amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following military strikes by the United States and Israel in February.
According to the source, FIFA has requested that the FFIRI travel to its Zurich base “by May 20 to prepare for the World Cup”.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, speaking at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver last week, moved to reassure delegates that Iran’s participation remains unchanged.
“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he addressed delegates at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
“And of course, Iran will play (in) the United States of America.”
Iran was notably absent from the 211-member congress after a dispute involving Canadian border authorities.
Iranian media reported that FFIRI president Mehdi Taj, a former member of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), with two colleagues returned home after being “insulted” by Canadian immigration officers.
Canada, which officially designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation in 2024, stated that individuals linked to the group were “inadmissible”.
On his return, Taj told local media he intended to request a meeting with FIFA to address several issues.
Iran, who will be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the tournament, have been drawn in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
Their campaign is scheduled to begin against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
