Iran issue statement on World Cup participation as ultimatum put to FIFA and Trump

The Iranian Football Federation has released a statement confirming whether the side will take part in this summer’s FIFA World Cup amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Since a US-Israeli offensive against Iran in late February, the Middle East has been impacted by violent conflict.

Sport was instantly affected, with the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix, while uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup also surfaced.

Iran are set to face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group C, with all of their matches scheduled to take place in the US.

The Iranian federation requested their matches be moved to neighbouring Canada or Mexico; however, this was rejected by FIFA.

While FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted that Iran will feature at the tournament, US President Donald Trump has offered mixed messages, previously suggesting that it would not be wise before seemingly changing his mind and giving his blessing earlier this month.

Just last week, Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, was forced to miss the FIFA Congress involving 211 member nations in Canada due to his links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organisation in the North American nation.

However, an Iranian delegation is expected to travel to Switzerland for talks with FIFA later this month.

FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafström has set a deadline of May 20 for Iran to travel to Europe for the talks.

Will Iran play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

On Saturday (May 9), the Iranian federation released an official statement on its website confirming Iran’s participation in the tournament.

“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the Iranian federation said on its official website.

“We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions.”

The statement continued: “No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit.”

Taj also spoke to state TV on Friday (May 8), putting a list of conditions forward for attending the tournament.

Conditions include visas being granted and respect for the national team staff, the team’s flag and its national anthem during the tournament, plus assurances over high security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums.

“All players and technical staff, especially those who have served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problems,” Taj said.

Iran get their tournament underway against New Zealand on June 15.