Iran’s football federation president, Mehdi Taj, has stated that FIFA—not the United States or former President Donald Trump—is the true host of the 2026 World Cup, insisting that the governing body must guarantee respect for Iranian institutions before the tournament begins.
Taj, who heads the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), raised concerns following an incident last week involving a delegation that turned back from the Canadian border ahead of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. The group reportedly felt they were treated disrespectfully by immigration officials.
While Taj said the delegation’s return was voluntary, Canadian authorities later confirmed that his visa was revoked mid-travel due to alleged links with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). US officials have also indicated that individuals associated with the IRGC will not be allowed entry into the country during the tournament.
Speaking on the situation, Taj stressed that Iran’s participation in the World Cup should not be influenced by political tensions.
“We are going to the World Cup, for which we qualified, and our host is FIFA—not Mr Trump or America,” he said.
He added that host nations must ensure respect for Iran’s national institutions.
“If they accept hosting us, then they must also accept that they must not insult our military institutions in any way. Otherwise, it creates situations like what happened in Canada,” Taj said.
The Iranian football chief further urged FIFA to provide formal assurances that Iranian symbols, including the IRGC, would not be disrespected during the tournament.
“We need a guarantee that our system and its symbols will be respected. This is important for us to travel with peace of mind,” he said.
The IRGC, a powerful branch of Iran’s military structure, is considered a terrorist organisation by countries including the United States and Canada, adding to the political sensitivity surrounding Iran’s participation.
Despite the concerns, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has maintained that Iran will participate in the tournament as scheduled. The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Iran is set to play all its group-stage matches in the United States, facing New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
