FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom has expressed confidence that Iran will successfully participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite growing concerns surrounding political tensions, visa complications, and travel restrictions involving the United States and Canada.
Speaking after a high-level meeting with Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday, May 16, Grafstrom described the discussions as positive and productive. According to him, FIFA remains committed to working closely with the Iranian Football Federation to ensure that Iran’s national team takes part in the tournament without major obstacles.
“We’ve had an excellent and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association,” Grafstrom said during an interview with Reuters. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them to the FIFA World Cup.”
Iran, popularly known as Team Melli, are scheduled to play all three of their Group G matches in the United States during the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
However, uncertainty over Iran’s participation intensified earlier this year following escalating tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Concerns were also raised over whether Iranian players, officials, and football executives would face difficulties obtaining visas or entering host countries ahead of the competition.
The situation became more controversial after several Iranian football officials were reportedly denied entry into Canada during a FIFA Congress event held in Vancouver. Reports claimed that an Iranian delegation led by Mehdi Taj was stopped and turned back upon arrival at Toronto airport despite possessing valid travel documents and visas.
Iranian officials later accused Canadian immigration authorities of mistreatment, sparking diplomatic and sporting concerns ahead of the World Cup preparations.
The issue is believed to be linked to Canada’s 2024 decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. Canadian authorities reportedly associated some Iranian officials with the IRGC, contributing to the visa denial controversy.
Although Grafstrom declined to publicly reveal specific details regarding visa discussions for Iranian players and officials, he confirmed that FIFA had addressed operational concerns during the Istanbul meeting.
“We’ve discussed all relevant matters, but I think it’s not the place to discuss the details,” he stated. “Overall, it was a very positive meeting and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialogue.”
Mehdi Taj also praised the meeting, saying FIFA officials listened carefully to Iran’s concerns and offered possible solutions to every issue raised by the federation.
“I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them,” Taj said. “I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there.”
Reports also revealed that Iran had previously requested for their World Cup fixtures to be relocated to Mexico due to concerns surrounding playing in the United States. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly insisted that all matches would remain at their originally scheduled venues.
As part of their preparations, Iran’s national team is expected to leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkiye before travelling to their World Cup base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.
Iran will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before taking on Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
Meanwhile, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has defended his provisional 30-man squad selection amid growing criticism over the omission of star striker Sardar Azmoun.
Azmoun, one of Iran’s most popular football stars, has previously shown support for anti-government protesters and recently faced criticism from Iranian state media after appearing in a photo with the Emir of Dubai. Some media outlets reportedly accused him of “treason” over the incident.
Responding to the controversy, Ghalenoei insisted that football decisions were made strictly based on performance and technical considerations.
“I swear before God that nothing other than technical criteria played a role in the selection of the players,” the coach said. “I chose the 30 players solely on that basis.”
Iran have now secured qualification for their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup, continuing their impressive run as one of Asia’s strongest football nations.
