FIFA, Not US, is World Cup Host: Iran Football Chief

The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, has firmly stated that FIFA, not the United States, holds the authority for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. This assertion comes amidst growing political tensions and concerns over Iran's participation in the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

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Our host is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America.

Taj emphasized that Iran qualified for the World Cup and expects to compete under FIFA's supervision, directly challenging any US-imposed restrictions. His remarks follow an incident where Iranian football officials were reportedly blocked from attending a FIFA Congress in Canada due to alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated terrorist organization in several countries.

Iran is demanding assurances that its delegation and state symbols will not face disrespect during the tournament. Taj explicitly stated, "If they guarantee not to insult our military institutions and the IRGC, we’ll go." This stance underscores Iran's position that football should remain separate from politics, and its participation should not be jeopardized by diplomatic disputes.

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If they guarantee not to insult our military institutions and the IRGC, we’ll go.

FIFA has acknowledged the visa issue and invited the Iranian federation for talks, with President Gianni Infantino reiterating Iran's scheduled participation. However, US officials maintain that individuals linked to the IRGC will be denied entry. The situation highlights the complex intersection of global sports and geopolitics, with Iran determined to assert its right to compete based on sporting merit.

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We are going to the World Cup because we qualified.