Iran Demands 10-Point Visa And Security Conditions For 2026 World Cup Participation

Iran’s football federation said it will “definitely” participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, while insisting the hosts meet its conditions for visas, security and respect for Iran’s national symbols.

“Iran wants team members who served in the Revolutionary Guard to get visas for the World Cup DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s soccer federation said on Saturday the country “definitely” will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and insisted that tournament hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — consider Tehran’s concerns around the team’s travel and how it will be treated”

Associated Press

Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s football federation, told Iranian state television that “if our team goes to the World Cup, they must accept our 10 conditions,” including guarantees that visas would be issued to all players and members of the coaching staff.

Associated Press

Taj said the visa demand would include those who completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the United States and Canada classify as a terrorist organisation, and he also sought assurances that Iranian delegation members holding valid visas would not face questioning by immigration authorities upon arrival in the United States.

The federation also demanded enhanced security measures at airports, hotels and along transportation routes to stadiums because of concerns over possible protests by Iranian dissidents living in the United States, where the federation said around 400,000 Iranians live.

Iran’s World Cup draw placed it in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, and the federation said Iran qualified after finishing first in Group A during the third round of Asian Football Confederation qualifying.

The federation’s stance followed Canadian authorities denying entry to Mehdi Taj ahead of a FIFA Congress, with the Canadian government citing his past service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and stating that “Individuals associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps cannot enter the country.”

Taj framed the dispute as a requirement for treatment and administrative assurances, telling Iranian media that “All players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems.”

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The dispute also intersected with U.S. statements about who could travel, with Sport Nation noting that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iranian players would be allowed to enter but that technical staff linked to the federation could face restrictions due to alleged ties to the Revolutionary Guards.

Iran’s demands extended beyond visas to include limits on press conference questions to football-related matters and assurances that only Iran’s official flag would be permitted inside stadiums.

The federation’s conditions were also described by Al Jazeera as part of a broader push for host nations to take Tehran’s concerns seriously amid the war triggered by the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28.

Iran’s federation said the visa and security framework is tied directly to participation, with the FFIRI spokesperson stating, “Iran will definitely compete in the FIFA World Cup, provided our 10-point security and administrative framework is signed into effect.”

“كأس العالم ٢٠٢٦ Iran's football federation confirms its team will play in the 2026 World Cup, demanding visa guarantees for players and staff, including Revolutionary Guard members”

Daily Beirut

The Sunday Guardian reported that Iran issued a “10-point ultimatum” to FIFA and the U.S., threatening to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup unless strict demands regarding visas and security for its delegation are met within a tightening deadline.

The same report said the standoff could affect key players, including Mehdi Taremi, the team captain and a striker who had completed his mandatory military service in the IRGC, and it also tied the dispute to Washington’s designation of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organisation.

Iran’s conditions also included demands for specialised security zones for the Iranian team and an “unprecedented” level of protection against potential protesters or political activists during their stay in North America.

In parallel, the federation said the team would not accept “second-class treatment” or “discriminatory vetting” from American host cities, while insisting that “no external power can deprive Iran of participating in a tournament it earned the right to compete in.”