PARIS, France: International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has invited the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) to its Zurich headquarters for urgent talks regarding the country’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, setting a deadline of May 20.
The invitation comes amid heightened geopolitical turbulence following the eruption of war in the Middle East last February, triggered by strikes from the United States and Israel. Despite the uncertainty, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has firmly reiterated that Iran will play its scheduled matches on U.S. soil.
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström has reportedly invited an Iranian delegation to its headquarters, with the country’s top football official Mehdi Taj saying, “We have many issues to discuss.”
READ: https://t.co/zRhY7WEzBV pic.twitter.com/FGEbmLILta
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) May 2, 2026
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, has seen Iran’s participation clouded by diplomatic and security concerns. However, FIFA moved to clarify the situation last week when President Gianni Infantino addressed delegates at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino stated. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”
Despite this assurance, Iran’s delegation was notably absent from the 211-member congress following a confrontation with Canadian border officials. Iranian media reported that FFIRI president Mehdi Taj, a former member of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with two colleagues, returned home after claiming they were “insulted” by Canadian immigration officers. Canada, which designated the IRGC a terrorist organisation in 2024, maintains that individuals linked to the force are “inadmissible” to enter the country.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino claims Iran will play the World Cup this summer. 🇮🇷🏆
Their games are scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle. 🇺🇸
The federation did not attend the FIFA congress in Vancouver.
One member of the Football Federation was denied entry to Canada. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/xV32Is3Ry0
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) May 1, 2026
Upon returning to Tehran, Taj expressed his desire for a meeting with FIFA to discuss multiple issues. FIFA has now responded by formally requesting the FFIRI delegation to visit its base in Zurich by May 20 “to prepare for the World Cup.”
On the pitch, Iran is scheduled to base itself in Tucson, Arizona, during the tournament. They will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
