TEHRAN — The head of Iran’s Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, has stated that the national team’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup is contingent upon receiving “clear guarantees” from FIFA that state symbols—specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—will not be “insulted” while the team is in the United States.
The demand follows a diplomatic friction last week when an Iranian delegation was turned back from the Canadian border. The group was traveling to Vancouver for a FIFA Congress but returned home alleging “unprofessional behavior” by immigration officials.
The Visa Controversy
While Taj claimed the return was a voluntary decision, Canadian immigration authorities later confirmed that visas were revoked while the delegation was mid-air due to their affiliations with the IRGC. Canada officially designated the IRGC as a “terrorist organization” earlier in 2024, following a similar move by the United States five years ago.
In a letter, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström expressed regret over the incident and invited the Iranian federation to a meeting in Zurich on May 20 to discuss World Cup preparations.
A Matter of “National Dignity”
Speaking to state media, Taj emphasized that Iran seeks a formal commitment regarding the treatment of its representatives.
“We require a guarantee for our visit so that they do not have the right to insult our state symbols, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Taj said. “This must be considered with the utmost seriousness to ensure a repeat of the Canada incident does not occur.”
U.S. Stance and Logistics
The 2026 World Cup is being jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Iran is currently scheduled to play two group-stage matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified last week that while Washington has no objection to Iranian athletes competing, individuals with direct IRGC ties will remain barred from entry.
Taj, who himself held a high-ranking position within the IRGC in Isfahan province, warned that without these “strong guarantees,” the team might turn back at the U.S. border. “Our host is FIFA, not Mr. Trump or America,” Taj noted. “If they are to host us, our military institutions must not be insulted.”
