Italy repechage to World Cup, Iran sends crystal clear warning
Just over a month before the start of the World Cup to be held between the United States, Mexico and Canada, the Iranian national team has confirmed its participation in the tournament but has set very clear conditions. In a statement entrusted to state TV, the Iranian Football Federation reported that: “No external pressure can deprive Iran of participation in a competition for which it has qualified with full merit. Iran’s position is clear: the team will take part in the 2026 World Cup, but the host country will have to take into consideration our legitimate concerns.”
Currently, the Iranian national team is in training camp and is scheduled to travel to Turkey to play a friendly against Gambia. The possibility of another friendly match against Poland, also in Turkey, is also under consideration. Should the match be confirmed, the Iranian selection would later move to the United States via Poland.
Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj outlined the ten conditions Iran has placed on FIFA to take part in the competition. Among the main demands made are: the unhindered issuance of visas for all players and technical staff members (particularly those who have served in the Revolutionary Guards, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi), a guarantee that, once visas are obtained, players and technical staff will not be subjected to extraordinary interrogation or checks by border police during the trip, and a clear definition of how visas will be issued for journalists and Iranian fans who will attend the matches.
Other conditions set by Taj are the adoption of the highest security standards and necessary protection protocols by the U.S. authorities at airports, hotels, communication routes and stadiums in order to prevent any incidents or criticalities, the authorization of the official flags of the two teams to enter the stadiums only: in the case of Iran, only the official flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be allowed.
Included in the conditions are also the guarantee of the proper and uninterrupted performance of the national anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran in all competitions and the restriction of journalists’ questions during press conferences to technical and sporting aspects of the competition only.
