The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has said that its national team will “definitely” take part in the upcoming World Cup — but only if the joint hosts (the United States, Mexico and Canada) agree to its conditions.
Iran’s status has been up in the air since the U.S. and Israel launched an armed conflict against the Middle East nation in late February.
“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the FFIRI said on its official website.
“We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.
“No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit.”
Spain – 17th appearance
Brazil – 23rd appearance
United States of America – 12th appearance
Mexico – 18th appearance
England – 17th appearance
Portugal – ninth appearance
France – 17th appearance
Iran – seventh appearance
Switzerland – 13th appearance
Croatia – seventh appearance
Australia – seventh appearance
Morocco – seventh appearance
Austria – eighth appearance
Ecuador – fifth appearance
Senegal – fourth appearance
South Korea – 12th appearance
Japan – eighth appearance
Colombia – seventh appearance
Netherlands – 12th appearance
Germany – 21st appearance
Belgium – 15th appearance
Canada – third appearance
Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
Uzbekistan – first appearance
Jordan – first appearance
Tunisia – seventh appearance
South Africa – fourth appearance
Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
Scotland – ninth appearance
Algeria – fifth appearance
New Zealand – third appearance
Paraguay – ninth appearance
Egypt – fourth appearance
Cape Verde – first appearance
Qatar – second appearance
Norway – fourth appearance
Panama – second appearance
Curacao – first appearance
Ghana – fifth appearance
Haiti – second appearance
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Spain – 17th appearance
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Spain – 17th appearance
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Brazil – 23rd appearance
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United States of America – 12th appearance
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Mexico – 18th appearance
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England – 17th appearance
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Portugal – ninth appearance
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France – 17th appearance
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Iran – seventh appearance
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Switzerland – 13th appearance
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Croatia – seventh appearance
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Australia – seventh appearance
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Morocco – seventh appearance
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Austria – eighth appearance
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Ecuador – fifth appearance
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Senegal – fourth appearance
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South Korea – 12th appearance
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Japan – eighth appearance
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Colombia – seventh appearance
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Netherlands – 12th appearance
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Germany – 21st appearance
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Belgium – 15th appearance
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Canada – third appearance
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Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
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Uzbekistan – first appearance
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Jordan – first appearance
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Tunisia – seventh appearance
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South Africa – fourth appearance
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Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
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Scotland – ninth appearance
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Algeria – fifth appearance
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New Zealand – third appearance
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Paraguay – ninth appearance
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Egypt – fourth appearance
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Cape Verde – first appearance
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Qatar – second appearance
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Norway – fourth appearance
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Panama – second appearance
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Curacao – first appearance
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Ghana – fifth appearance
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Haiti – second appearance
In addition to the statement on the website, FFIRI president Mehdi Taj told state TV on Friday that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the tournament.
“All players and technical staff, especially those who have served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problems,” Taj said.
Taj was denied entry to Canada for last month’s FIFA Congress due to his previous service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of Iran’s military.
The IRGC is considered a terrorist organization in both the U.S. and Canada.
Taj also issued a demand for additional items, such as the presence of the team flag and national anthem at the event and high security.
Iran’s national team is set to report in the coming weeks to Tucson, Arizona, where it will be based for the tournament.
On June 15, Iran will kick off its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Team Melli will also take on Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran 2026 World Cup: Federation makes demands of FIFA
