Since the US-Israel war on Iran, Iran’s participation in the 2026 event, which will be co-hosted by the US, has been in doubt.
Published April 30, 2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has insisted Iran will play its World Cup matches in the United States, even though soccer’s governing body’s parliament opened without a delegation and the absence of a delegation highlighted the tensions and challenges surrounding the tournament.
Iran’s absence deprived parliament on Thursday of direct representation from a country whose participation in the 2026 World Cup is already shaping behind-the-scenes discussions, an issue that is particularly acute given the cross-border nature of the tournament.
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The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, will require teams, officials and support staff to repeatedly move between jurisdictions, raising expectations that visa restrictions and diplomatic tensions could complicate plans in certain countries.
Iran has qualified for the tournament, but its participation has been complicated by Iran’s request for an alternative venue for the games on U.S. soil since the beginning of the U.S.-Israel war against the country.
FIFA rejected the request, insisting that the schedule would remain the same. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that the US government was not opposed to Iranian players taking part in the World Cup, but added that the players would not be allowed to bring anyone with ties to the Revolutionary Guards.
“Let me start by saying: Of course, Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And of course, Iran will play in the United States,” Infantino said at the tournament.
“The reason is very simple: we have to come together. It’s my responsibility, it’s our responsibility.”
Iranian Football Federation officials, including federation president Mehdi Taji, had planned to attend the rally but turned back at the Toronto airport after what Tehran described as “unacceptable behavior” by Canadian immigration officials, despite traveling on valid visas.
A person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that two members of the delegation could have attended the FIFA General Assembly, but one member of the delegation was refused entry to Canada and chose not to attend.
Mr. Taj is a former member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Canadian officials said entry decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis and individuals associated with the Revolutionary Guards, which Ottawa has designated as a “terrorist organization”, will not be allowed into the country.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “I can provide the following assurances and facts. One is that, as you know, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and all of its members have been listed as a terrorist organization for several years.”
“Members are prohibited from entering the country. We are carrying out a series of tests and we have measures in place. And none of our members have entered the country. The measures are in place.”
About 30 protesters wearing Iranian flags and holding placards gathered outside the convention center, chanting for regime change in Iran.
Demonstrators shouted support for Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi. “The Revolutionary Guards are terrorists,” they shouted. “We don’t do business with terrorists.” “Hey, FIFA, hey, FIFA, we don’t do business with terrorists.”
