Iran says it will participate in World Cup, demands hosts meet its conditions
Iran's football federation announces that the men's national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but demands that the joint hosts, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, agree to its conditions.
Iran's presence at the tournament, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, has been uncertain since the US-Israeli aggression against the country, which began on February 28.
The Iranian federation said on its official website on Saturday that no external power can deprive Iran of participating in a tournament to which it has rightfully qualified.
“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” it added.
It noted that the national team will “participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.”
“If the World Cup host has failed to learn the principles of hospitality, we will teach them in another language — just as Iran's football delegation to Canada displayed with authority, Iranian resolve in decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to national convictions," the federation noted.
Canada refused entry to the federation's chief last month ahead of the FIFA Congress, which caused the Iranian delegation to return and not participate in the FIFA Congress.
President of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) Mehdi Taj told state television on Friday that Tehran has put forward ten conditions for attending the global event.
The conditions include the granting of visas, respect for the national team staff, the team's flag, and its national anthem during the tournament, as well as demands for heightened security at airports, hotels, and routes to the stadiums where Iran will play.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament. However, he warned that the United States may still bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation with alleged ties to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
"All players and technical staff, especially those who have served their military service in the IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problems," Taj said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will play its World Cup matches in the United States as scheduled.
Iran, which is set to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the tournament, will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G. The team will open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
President Pezeshkian congratulates Iran youth weightlifting team on world title
Iran dominates 2026 World Junior Weightlifting Championships with six golds, claims team title
Iran football chief rejected Canadian PM’s phone call after insulting treatment
Israel poses grave threats to Christians in Gaza, Palestinian delegation warns EU
US-Israeli strategy to weaken Iran’s core industries failed: Vice president
Bahrain arrests 41 as it intensifies crackdown on Iran supporters amid US-Israeli war
Iran says it will participate in World Cup, demands hosts meet its conditions
Strategic quagmire: US trapped between failed military options and untenable peace terms
Iran develops homegrown ultrasonic flare gas meter without reverse engineering
Israeli settlers burn homes and cars in brutal West Bank raids
Americans protest persecution of Christians in Israeli-occupied territories
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
