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Iran confirms World Cup plans but demands guarantees
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) announced on Saturday that the national team will compete in this summer's World Cup, but only if tournament organizers and hosts meet a list of conditions. The demands come as diplomatic tensions between Iran and Western nations complicate preparations for the event, which kicks off on 11 June in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Key demands outlined
In a statement, the FFIRI insisted that Iran's participation would proceed "without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions." The federation presented FIFA with 10 specific guarantees, including assurances that all players, coaches, and officials-regardless of their military service history-receive visas to enter host countries.
One of the most contentious requests involves members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organization by both Canada and the U.S. Mehdi Taj, the FFIRI president, was denied entry to Canada ahead of last month's FIFA Congress, with authorities citing his ties to the IRGC.
Security, symbols, and media restrictions
Beyond visa guarantees, Iran is seeking protections for its national team, including respect for the Iranian flag and anthem, as well as heightened security at airports, hotels, and stadiums. The federation has also requested that journalists limit their questions to "technical football matters," though such a restriction may prove difficult to enforce.
Amir Ghalenoei, the men's national team coach, recently acknowledged that politically charged atmospheres could surround Iran's matches, blurring the line between sport and geopolitics. This dynamic was evident during the women's Asian Cup in Australia in March, when several Iranian players sought asylum, leading to a diplomatic standoff.
Fifa's balancing act
FIFA faces a delicate challenge in addressing Iran's demands. While the organization can influence tournament logistics, protocols, and the treatment of delegations, issues like visa policies and border security fall under the jurisdiction of host nations-particularly the U.S.
"Iranian footballers are welcome to compete, but individuals with ties to the IRGC may still face entry restrictions,"
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Tensions between Iran and the West have escalated in recent months. On 28 February, Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iranian targets, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and U.S.-allied states in the Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has since halted most hostilities, but the underlying tensions remain.
No withdrawal expected-yet
Despite the complexities, there is no indication that Iran plans to pull out of the tournament. Instead, the situation points to protracted negotiations between FIFA, Iranian authorities, and U.S. officials over the terms of Iran's participation in the largest World Cup in history.
