TEHRAN, May 9 — Iran’s football federation said today that the men’s national team will take part in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but demanded that joint hosts the United...
One year on, how Warisan KL has breathed new life back to Kuala Lumpur’s past — and what’s coming up nextPresident of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj and Mayor of Tehran Alireza Zakani stand next to the Fifa World Cup Trophy during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran September 1, 2022.
Taj told state TV yesterday that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the global spectacle, seeking assurances over the country’s treatment. — Majid Asgaripour/Wana pic via Reuters! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply.
TEHRAN, May 9 — Iran’s football federation said today that the men’s national team will take part in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but demanded that joint hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada agree to its conditions amid the Middle East war. The call comes after Canada refused entry to the federation’s chief last month before the Fifa Congress because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , the ideological arm of Iran’s military, which it designated as a terror group in 2024.
Iran’s presence at the tournament, which will take place between June 11 and July 19, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.
“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the Iranian federation said on its official website. “We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions. ” The Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj told state TV yesterday that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the global spectacle, seeking assurances over the country’s treatment.
The conditions include visas being granted and respect for the national team staff, the team’s flag and its national anthem during the tournament, as well as demands for high security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums where they will play. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that Iran’s footballers would be welcome at the tournament.
But he warned that the US may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation with ties to the IRGC, which it also designates as a terrorist organisation.
“All players and technical staff, especially those who have served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problems,” said Iranian football chief Taj. Fifa chief Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled.
Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G.“No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit,” the Iranian federation said today. — AFP
2026 World Cup Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Tehran Mehdi Taj Tucson Arizona
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