Iran pressures FIFA over respect guarantees before 2026 World Cup in United States | OneFootball

Iran has increased the pressure on FIFA one month before the 2026 World Cup, which runs from 11 June to 19 July. Federation president Mehdi Taj said the team could withdraw unless it receives guarantees that the country and its institutions will be respected during its stay in the United States.

According to L'Équipe, his comments come amid fraught relations between Tehran, Washington and Ottawa. Canada, a co-host with the United States and Mexico, recently denied Taj entry over past links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canadian and US authorities classify as a terrorist organisation.

Taj is due to meet Gianni Infantino in the coming days to seek assurances. Iran says FIFA should guarantee conditions on visas, security and treatment of its delegation and players.

The foreign ministry quickly backed that stance. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said host nations, in his view, must keep politics out of the tournament, and the issue has grown more sensitive since strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran at the end of February, which sharply escalated regional tensions.

Preparation on the pitch is also complicated. Coach Amir Ghalenoei said several friendlies were cancelled at short notice, and Iran will hold a two-week camp in Türkiye before travelling to the United States in early June.

A 30-man provisional squad will be named this week, then trimmed to 26. Team Melli start on 15 June against New Zealand in Los Angeles, with their base camp in Tucson, Arizona.

Source: L'Équipe