[54752] Crisis over the Iranian national team's appearance in the 2026 World Cup: Extreme demands by the Football Federation

Tensions surrounding Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup

Against the backdrop of preparations for the 2026 World Cup tournament, Mehdi Taj, chairman of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has declared that the country has set a list of "10 conditions" for the national team's participation in the tournament to be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico. According to reports from various channels, including Iran International TV, the conditions include guaranteeing visas for the entire squad – including players identified with the Revolutionary Guards – demands not to be fingerprinted, and a ban on political protests or the waving of unofficial flags in the stands.

The crisis took a sharp turn after Mehdi Taj was expelled from Canada recently, following reports that he holds a problematic visa status and against the backdrop of his past as a commander in the Revolutionary Guards intelligence, an organization defined as a terrorist entity in Canada and the US. Iran International channel notes that US security authorities are concerned about the activity of Iranian "sleeper cells" during the tournament, which increases the questions surrounding the granting of visas to members of the Iranian delegation.

In a report by the Arabic channel Al Arabiya, additional demands by Taj were detailed, including a demand for a "clear and respectful" broadcast of the national anthem and the prevention of political questions from foreign journalists. Simultaneously, in media outlets identified with the regime, such as the IRNA news agency, it was claimed that these are legitimate demands to protect the "national interests" of Iran.

In the background, uncertainty is growing regarding the federation's ability to ensure the team's arrival. Iran International reports on internal frictions within the government echelons in Tehran, with the Minister of Sports expressing opposition to participation under the current circumstances. While Taj threatens that FIFA will have to "raise the Iranian flag" in any case, experts and commentators believe that setting these conditions is intended to mask internal political difficulties and a genuine fear among the players and staff of arrests or being denied entry to US soil.