VANCOUVER: Football’s global leadership will gather in Canada on Thursday as FIFA convenes its 76th Congress, a key meeting taking place less than two months before the start of the expanded 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The high-level gathering, to be attended by around 1,600 delegates from over 200 member associations, is expected to address a range of pressing issues, including the ongoing Iran conflict, logistical challenges linked to the World Cup, and the future of Russia’s suspension from international football.
Iran’s absence has already cast a shadow over the event. Officials from the Iranian football federation departed Canada shortly after arriving in Toronto, reportedly cancelling their trip to Vancouver following what Iranian media described as mistreatment by immigration authorities.
Geopolitical concerns
Canadian officials reiterated their stance, saying individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are barred from entering the country. “While we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country,” the immigration agency said.
The development has added uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, although FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained that Iran will compete “where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.”
Beyond geopolitical concerns, Infantino is also facing scrutiny over rising World Cup ticket prices and broader organisational challenges. FIFA recently increased tournament financial distributions to nearly $900 million amid concerns from participating teams over rising costs.
Human rights groups have urged FIFA to address concerns around fan safety and immigration policies, while debates over Russia’s continued ban from international football are also expected to feature prominently at the Congress.
