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Iran says it still plans to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, but tensions surrounding the team’s participation are still growing.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has now formally asked FIFA and the tournament’s host nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico, for a series of guarantees before the competition begins on June 11.
In a statement released Saturday and reported by BBC Sport, the federation insisted Iran would participate in the tournament “without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions,” while also warning that the hosts “must take our concerns into account.”
The demands come after FFIRI president Mehdi Taj was denied entry into Canada ahead of last month’s FIFA Congress.
Canadian authorities reportedly cited Taj’s past links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organization classified as a terrorist group in both Canada and the United States, as the reason for the decision.
Following that incident, Taj revealed that Iran had submitted 10 conditions to FIFA regarding its participation in the World Cup.
Among the federation’s main requests are guarantees that all Iranian players, coaches and officials will receive visas to enter host countries, including individuals who previously completed military service connected to the IRGC.
Iran is also asking for assurances regarding the treatment of the national team throughout the tournament, including respect for the Iranian flag and national anthem, as well as increased security measures at airports, hotels and stadiums.
Some of the demands may fall under FIFA’s influence, and others involve immigration and security policies controlled directly by host governments.
Despite the political tensions, Iran has made clear it still intends to compete at the tournament.
Read also: Donald Trump: ‘If Infantino Says So, I Don’t Mind Iran Playing in the World Cup’
