Iranian FA chief says FIFA guarantees over IRGC respect essential for World Cup trip
Mehdi Taj says Iran could withdraw unless FIFA guarantees the team will not face entry restrictions or insults to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- On Tuesday, Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj demanded FIFA guarantee that the United States will not insult the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during the 2026 World Cup.
- An Iranian delegation led by Taj turned back from the Canadian border last week after immigration officials denied entry, citing his alleged links to the IRGC, which Canada designated a "terrorist entity" in 2024.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated last week that while the U.S. welcomes Iranian players, individuals with IRGC ties will be barred from entering the country.
- Taj will meet FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom in Zurich this month, seeking what he described as "cast-iron guarantees" for the delegation's safe passage.
- Despite the diplomatic uncertainty, the Iranian team continues training with matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, though participation remains contingent on FIFA assurances amid ongoing US-Israeli regional tensions.
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32 Articles
Iran football chief conditions World Cup participation on U.S. respecting IRGC
Mehdi Taj, a former IRGC member, said: 'We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system – especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps'
Our host is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America: Iran football chief
Mehdi Taj, chief of Iran's football federation has demanded guarantee from FIFA that the US would not insult the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps..FIFA World Cup 2026, Iran National Team, IRGC, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mehdi Taj, FFIRI, FIFA, US-Iran relations, Donald Trump, Group G, New Zealand vs Iran, Iran vs Belgium, Iran vs Egypt, Inglewood, Seattle, Vancouver, FIFA Congress, Canada immigration, terrorist entity designation, spor…
The participation of the Iranian football team in the upcoming World Cup has been called into question, after the first man of Iranian football asked for clear security and political guarantees.
Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj asks FIFA to ensure World Cup host country gives full respect to Iranian delegation
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