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Sports
Iran's football chief says the national team may pull out of the 2026 World Cup unless FIFA provides security guarantees.
Iran's football federation chief, Mehdi Taj, has signaled that the country's participation in the 2026 World Cup is conditional on firm security assurances from FIFA and host nations. Taj stated he plans to raise the matter of the Iranian team's safety directly with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The threat follows an incident last week in which Canadian authorities barred Taj and two other Iranian federation officials from entering the country at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The delegation was en route to the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Taj said Iran has no objection to competing in the tournament but requires clear guarantees to prevent a repeat of the Canada episode. He warned that Tehran would respond "proportionately" to any perceived insult against the national team or official Iranian institutions. "We follow FIFA, not Trump or anyone else," Taj added. "If we are insulted, the team may withdraw and return to Iran."
Iran is scheduled to play its group-stage matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Inglewood, California, before facing Egypt in Seattle. The country's Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, had previously cast doubt on the team's ability to participate due to current geopolitical tensions, urging FIFA to reconsider the United States as a host for the tournament.
The Asian Football Confederation has since confirmed that Iran still intends to compete in the finals. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of negotiations to relocate Iran's matches from the United States to Mexico.
