FIFA confident in Iran’s World Cup attendance after Istanbul talks
The governing body has declined to confirm specific visa assurances for Iranian players, but expresses readiness to welcome the squad to the United States for Group G matches.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom has expressed confidence in Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup following a constructive meeting with Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday. The discussion addressed operational matters and logistical concerns as the tournament approaches, with Grafstrom stating the organisation is “looking very much forward to welcoming them.”
The meeting comes amid heightened geopolitical tension and scrutiny over Iran’s entry into the United States and Canada, both of which classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity. Taj was recently refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver due to his links to the IRGC, raising immediate questions about the feasibility of the Iranian delegation’s travel plans.
Taj told reporters that FFIRI raised 10 specific points during the talks, which FIFA officials addressed with proposed solutions. “I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points... and they offered solutions for each of them,” Taj said, adding his hope that the national team could travel without incident. However, when asked if specific visa waivers or assurances had been secured for players and officials, Grafstrom declined to elaborate, citing operational sensitivities.
“The US and Canada... have made it clear they will not admit people with links to the elite military force,” the source material notes, highlighting the diplomatic friction. Grafstrom maintained that while the discussion was positive, it was not the appropriate venue to disclose sensitive details regarding entry arrangements.
Despite earlier requests from Iran to relocate its group stage fixtures to Mexico, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted that all matches remain at their originally scheduled venues. Iran is set to play all three of its Group G matches in the United States, beginning with a fixture against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by games against Belgium and Egypt.
The Iranian squad is scheduled to depart Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday. This will be followed by a move to their designated US base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, in early June, ahead of the tournament’s start on June 11.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs until July 19. The final is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, featuring a half-time show curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
