Iran issues list of demands to FIFA and the US before participating in the World Cup.

Iran has reportedly issued a list of demands to FIFA and the United States government before agreeing to participate in the 2026 World Cup amid mounting political tensions surrounding the tournament.

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) said the national side would take part ‘without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions’.

It also warned that tournament organisers and host nations ‘must take our concerns into account’.

The statement comes after federation president Mehdi Taj was refused entry into Canada ahead of last month’s FIFA Congress, in a move that has intensified fears over how Iranian officials and players could be treated during the competition.

Taj later disclosed that Iran had submitted 10 separate conditions to FIFA ahead of the expanded tournament, which gets underway on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Among the key requests are guarantees that every member of the Iranian delegation – including players, coaching staff, and officials – will be granted visas to travel freely between host nations during the competition.

That issue is particularly sensitive because some members of the delegation are understood to have completed military service linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organisation designated as a terrorist group by both Canada and the United States.

Taj’s reported connections to the IRGC were cited as one of the reasons Canadian authorities blocked his entry before the FIFA gathering.

Iran is also seeking formal assurances over how the team will be treated throughout the tournament, including guarantees surrounding the Iranian flag and national anthem, along with heightened security protection at airports, hotels, and stadiums.

However, several of Tehran’s demands are beyond FIFA’s authority, as issues involving visas, border entry and security screenings are governed by US immigration and national security laws rather than football regulations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already said Iranian footballers would be permitted to compete at the World Cup, though he warned that individuals with ties to the IRGC could still encounter restrictions when attempting to enter the country.

The situation leaves FIFA caught between guaranteeing the participation of qualified nations and navigating increasingly fraught relations between Tehran and Washington.

Israel and the US carried out large-scale strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and Gulf states allied to Washington.

In March, Iran then claimed it would not take part in the FIFA World Cup, citing safety concerns after the strikes.

Trump said at the time that Iran would be ‘welcome’ at the tournament, though he signalled he felt they should not be involved ‘for their own life and safety’.

Iran’s football authorities have reportedly issued a list of conditions to FIFA and the United States as a requirement for their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Key demands from Iran

Based on multiple reports and leaked details, Iran’s Football Federation is asking for guarantees including:

Smooth visa approval for players, staff, journalists, and fans without delays or extra questioning No interrogation or detention of Iranian players or officials by U.S. immigration authorities after entry Strong security protection at airports, hotels, transport routes, and stadiums Respect for Iran’s flag, anthem, and national symbols during the tournament Protection against any “insults” toward Iranian institutions, including the military and IRGC Restrictions on press conferences so questions are limited strictly to football matters

Why these demands are being made

The requests come amid high political tension between Iran and the United States, which is one of the World Cup host countries. Iranian officials say they want guarantees that players and fans will not face political or security-related issues while attending the tournament.

FIFA has so far insisted that Iran will still participate as planned, and that the tournament will go ahead with all qualified teams, while also trying to manage political tensions separately from football. 

This situation shows how the World Cup is becoming entangled with geopolitics, especially with security concerns and diplomatic conflicts influencing preparations.