FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, despite the Iranian Football Federation’s absence from the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. Infantino made the statement at the outset of his address to the congress, aiming to quash speculation over Iran’s involvement following recent geopolitical tensions.
Iran’s Delegation Denied Entry to Canada
A three-man delegation from the Iranian Football Federation traveled to Toronto on Tuesday, but one member was denied entry into Canada. The other two declined to attend the congress in protest. Iranian media reported that IFF President Mehdi Taj was turned away at Toronto Pearson Airport despite holding a temporary resident permit. FIFA sources described the situation as regrettable but noted that Canada’s authorities control entry decisions.
During the roll call of 210 FIFA members, Secretary General Mattias Grafström did not mention Iran’s absence. Iran’s participation had been uncertain since US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in February, but Infantino insisted the team will play its group-stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt as scheduled.
Infantino’s Call for Unity
“Let me start by confirming straight away that Iran will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and will play in the United States,” Infantino said. “We have to unite and bring people together. There are enough problems in the world; if nobody tries to unite, what will happen?”
Iran begins its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, faces Belgium on June 21, and concludes Group G against Egypt in Seattle. If Iran and the USA finish second in their groups, they would meet in the round of 32 in Dallas—a rematch of their 2022 group-stage encounter in Qatar.
Concerns Over Immigration and IRGC Ties
Despite Infantino’s confidence, concerns persist about potential immigration issues for Iran’s delegation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran’s players are welcome but hinted that federation officials with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may face difficulties. Taj, a former IRGC commander, had his Canadian temporary resident permit revoked. Canada has listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity since 2024.
FIFA Defends Ticket Sales and Announces Revenue Growth
Infantino also addressed criticism over ticket pricing, revealing that FIFA received 500 million requests and sold 90% of available inventory. “There are expensive tickets, but also less expensive ones, and all revenue goes back into the game,” he said.
FIFA’s projected revenues for the 2023-26 cycle have risen to $14 billion, a 20% increase from the previous cycle. Infantino formally announced his candidacy for re-election at next year’s congress in Rabat, Morocco. Elected in 2016 as a reform candidate, he is likely to serve 15 years under FIFA’s amended term-limit rules.
