Iran Sets Conditions for World Cup Participation Amid Tensions

Iran has said it will participate in this summer’s FIFA World Cup, while calling for a series of assurances from FIFA and the tournament hosts amid rising diplomatic tensions linked to its involvement.

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) stated that the national team would compete “without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions,” but added that the hosts “must take our concerns into account.”

The request follows the denial of entry into Canada for FFIRI president Mehdi Taj ahead of last month’s FIFA Congress.

Taj later disclosed that Iran had submitted 10 conditions to FIFA for participation in the tournament, which begins on 11 June across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Among the demands outlined in a statement on Saturday, Iran is seeking guarantees that all players, coaching staff, and officials will be granted visas including individuals who have completed military service with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The IRGC is designated as a terrorist organisation in both Canada and the United States, and Taj’s reported links to the group were cited in the decision to refuse him entry to Canada.

Iran is also requesting assurances over the treatment of its delegation during the tournament, including respect for the national flag and anthem, along with strengthened security measures at airports, hotels, and stadiums.

While some of the conditions relate to standard tournament logistics, others are likely to be more complex for FIFA and host nations to fully accommodate. Agencies