Iran Insists FIFA, Not US, Is World Cup Host Amid Visa Tensions

The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, has said football’s global governing body (FIFA) is the authority behind the 2026 World Cup, pushing back against rising political tension over Iran’s participation.

Speaking to BBC Sport on Wednesday, Taj addressed concerns over travel restrictions and diplomatic friction ahead of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“Our host is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America,” Taj said, stressing that Iran qualified for the competition and expects to play under FIFA’s authority rather than political pressure from Donald Trump or Washington.

The comments follow reports that Iranian football officials were blocked from attending a FIFA Congress in Canada over alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which several countries classify as a terrorist organisation.

Taj, who has previously acknowledged serving in the IRGC, said Iran wants firm guarantees that its delegation and national symbols will be treated with respect during the tournament.

“If they guarantee not to insult our military institutions and the IRGC, we’ll go,” he said, referring to travel arrangements for the World Cup.

FIFA has already expressed regret over the visa row and invited Iran to discussions in Zurich as preparations continue. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran remains scheduled to compete and will play its matches as planned.

The dispute unfolds against strained relations between Tehran and Washington, with US officials maintaining that individuals linked to the IRGC will not be granted entry.

Iran insists football must remain separate from politics and says diplomatic tensions should not affect its participation.

“We are going to the World Cup because we qualified,” Taj has said, adding that Iran would boycott the United States politically but not the tournament.