Iran says FIFA must ensure access to World Cup

TL;DR

Iran's national football team will participate in the 2026 World Cup, but FIFA must ensure necessary facilities and visa arrangements. The country's foreign ministry emphasized that political considerations should not affect these provisions.

Key points

Iran's national football team will participate in the 2026 World Cup
FIFA must ensure necessary facilities and visa arrangements
Iran's foreign ministry emphasized no political considerations should affect arrangements
FIFA president confirmed Iran's participation in the U.S.
Iran will compete in Group G with Egypt, New Zealand, and Belgium

Mentioned in this story

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Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said the country's national football team would participate in the 2026 World Cup, but FIFA must ensure the "necessary facilities and conditions." "We will make every effort. Look, our national football team is not 'travelling' to the United States, rather we are going there to take part in the FIFA World Cup," Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Wednesday. "Therefore, it is FIFA’s responsibility to provide all the necessary facilities and conditions." The World Cup will be held this summer across the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO:Iran's national football team's players pose on the pitch before a friendly match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, on March 31, 2026. The spokesperson also said it is the responsibility of the host countries under FIFA regulations to "provide the necessary arrangements and issue the required visas without taking political considerations or motives into account." The spokesperson said he hoped FIFA would ensure the measures. The president of Iran’s Football Federation Mehdi Taj said last week the Iranian national football team has qualified to participate in the World Cup and that it was their right to take part. The remarks from the foreign ministry also come after FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran would participate in the World Cup this year, including playing in the U.S. "Of course Iran will play in the United States of America," he said last month. "And the reason for that is very simple, dear friends, it's because we have to unite." Iran's sports minister had said in March the nation's team would in the global sporting event amid the U.S.-Israeli . A ceasefire has been in place since April 7. The Iranian team had been scheduled to play in the tournament's Group G, alongside , and . President Donald Trump was asked about the announcement at an unrelated news conference last week and responded, "If Gianni said it, I'm OK."

Q&A

What conditions did Iran set for participating in the 2026 World Cup?

Iran stated that FIFA must ensure necessary facilities and visa arrangements for their national team to participate in the World Cup.

Who confirmed Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup?

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that Iran would participate in the World Cup, including matches in the United States.

What teams will Iran face in the 2026 World Cup Group G?

Iran is scheduled to play in Group G alongside Egypt, New Zealand, and Belgium.