Iran national football team has confirmed its participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The announcement ends weeks of uncertainty surrounding the team’s involvement, following diplomatic and logistical discussions with tournament organisers.

The confirmation was accompanied by a detailed list of 10 conditions issued by the Iran Football Federation, which said host nations must address concerns related to visas, security arrangements, media access and the treatment of national symbols before the tournament begins. Federation president Mehdi Taj outlined the requirements, stressing that all players, staff, journalists and supporters must be granted smooth entry without delays or additional scrutiny.

A key demand focuses on visa guarantees, with Iran specifically naming players such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi as individuals who must be allowed unhindered access to the host countries. The federation also called for enhanced security measures at airports, hotels, transport routes and stadiums for all Iranian delegations during the competition.

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The conditions further include strict protocols on stadium conduct, such as allowing only official national flags of competing teams inside venues during Iran’s matches and ensuring the correct playing of Iran’s national anthem without interruption. The federation also requested that press conferences be limited to football-related questions, emphasising a desire to keep sporting matters separate from political discussions.

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has previously stated that Iran’s matches will proceed as scheduled in the United States, despite ongoing diplomatic sensitivities. Iran has been placed in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

Iran qualified directly for the tournament through the standard qualification process and reiterated that its participation would not involve compromise on national identity or sporting principles. With the World Cup approaching, attention now shifts to whether the host nations will formally respond to Iran’s conditions and how preparations will unfold ahead of their opening fixture.

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