The Iran Football Federation said it will definitely take part in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, which opens next month.
On the 10th, AFP, citing Iranian media, said, "The Iran Football Federation emphasized that visas must be issued without issue even to members of the squad who completed their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)."
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, presented 10 conditions for participating in the North and Central America World Cup in an interview with state-run IRNA. ▲ Guarantee of visa issuance for the squad during the tournament ▲ Respect for the national team staff, the national flag, and the national anthem are among the key points.
Taj visited Toronto, Canada, on the 30th to attend the FIFA Congress, but was denied entry due to his record of serving in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and ultimately was unable to attend the congress.
At the time, the Canadian government said that because Taj had previously served in the IRGC, "those associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps cannot enter."
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said he did not oppose Iranian players taking part in the North and Central America World Cup, but participation together with those associated with the IRGC would not be allowed.
Currently, Iran national team forward and "captain" Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos) and defender Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan) have completed their mandatory service in the IRGC.
Iran is set to play its Group G matches in the group stage with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in the United States at the North and Central America World Cup.