World Cup 2026: Iran sets conditions for FIFA ahead of its participation

The participation of the Iran national football team in the 2026 World Cup is no longer in doubt. On the sidelines of FIFA’s congress held in Vancouver, its president Gianni Infantino confirmed the presence of the Iranian national team at the tournament scheduled for the United States, Canada and Mexico. An announcement that ends many months of uncertainty, in a geopolitically particularly tense context. Questions about security and the participation conditions of Team Melli had fueled debates, while the country’s internal situation remained unstable.

Nevertheless, this sporting clarification does not dispel all areas of ambiguity. The president of the Iranian federation, Mehdi Taj, delivered an aggressive speech toward the world governing body. He notably believes that FIFA is weakened and subject to external political influences. The Iranian leader also set several strict conditions to frame the participation of his team. Among them: the absence of any political stance aimed at the team, maximum security guarantees for the players and staff, as well as a clear recognition of national symbols. A few months before kick-off, Iran’s presence is therefore confirmed on the sporting level. But behind the scenes, the climate remains sensitive, suggesting a dossier still delicate to manage for the organizers of the 2026 World Cup.