Iran Hands FIFA 10 Demands for World Cup Participation

Ten conditions, including guaranteed US entry visas for players and officials who served with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have been presented by Iran to FIFA as prerequisites for its participation in the 2026 World Cup. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, kicks off on June 11, with Iran scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches on American soil.

The IRGC is designated a terrorist organization by both the US and Canada. Iran’s captain and striker Mehdi Taremi reportedly completed two years of mandatory military service within the IRGC Navy in 2012. Veteran player Ehsan Hajsafi is also said to have served with the corps, while Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, who served in Isfahan Province, was denied entry to Canada before last month’s FIFA Congress. Coach Saeed Elhayi has reportedly been previously denied a visa due to his military service.

List of Demands and Political Context

According to the Iranian Football Federation, the nation will compete “without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions” while insisting the hosts “must take our concerns into account.” The demands include guarantees that all players, coaches, and officials traveling with the team receive visas—including those with IRGC military service—as well as assurances that Iran’s national anthem and flag will be respected. Enhanced security at airports, hotels, and stadiums has also been requested.

Iranian officials reportedly want journalists to avoid questions beyond “technical football matters.” Some requests are likely easier for FIFA to influence than others. The governing body can oversee tournament logistics, official protocols, and the treatment of delegations, but visa, border control, and security vetting issues remain under US jurisdiction.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament but warned that individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions. This leaves FIFA balancing the need to ensure all qualified teams can participate against the political reality of hostile US-Iran relations.

Broader Tensions and Recent Conflicts

Israel and the US launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on February 28, to which Iran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied Gulf states. Fighting has been largely suspended under a fragile ceasefire. At the women’s Asian Cup in Australia in March, a number of Iranian players tried to claim asylum, sparking a tense diplomatic stand-off. Seven team members were granted humanitarian visas in Australia, though five changed their minds and returned home.

Iranian men’s coach Amir Ghalenoei recently acknowledged that politically charged atmospheres could surround some World Cup matches. A source close to the tournament said a solution satisfying all sides “could be tough to reach,” adding, “It could be easier negotiating a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz.”