Iran has declared its participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, insisting that visas be granted without issue to individuals with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
AFP reported on May 10 that the Iran Football Association is demanding its conditions be met for the national team’s participation in the North American World Cup.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Association, outlined ten conditions for participation in an interview with state-run IRNA news agency. These include guarantees for visa issuance, respect for the Iranian national team and its players, honoring the national flag and anthem, and ensuring thorough safety measures along travel routes.
Regarding visas, Taj emphasized that all players and coaching staff, including those who served in the IRGC, must receive their visas without any complications.
Notable IRGC veterans on the Iranian national team include captain and forward Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos) and defender Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan). In Iran, men over 18 are subject to mandatory military service, with random assignment to either the regular army or the IRGC.
Taj’s demands come in response to the negative stance of the U.S. and Canada on admitting individuals associated with the IRGC.
Last month, Taj himself was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA General Assembly in Toronto, with Canadian authorities citing their policy of barring IRGC-affiliated individuals.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while welcoming Iranian players’ participation in the World Cup, has warned that entry for those linked to the IRGC may be restricted.
Iran, placed in Group G, plans to set up its base camp in Tucson, Lizzona. The team will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage, with all three matches scheduled to take place on U.S. soil.
