Football’s governing body, FIFA, has invited Iran’s football federation to talks in Switzerland as uncertainty continues over the country’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.
Truthlive news media learnt that a source told AFP that the Iranian Football Federation had been asked to attend meetings at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich by 20 May “to prepare for the World Cup”.
Iran’s involvement in the tournament to be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, has been in doubt following renewed conflict in the Middle East earlier this year.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has, however, insisted that Iran will take part as scheduled.
“Let me start by confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he said at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
“And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”
Iran was absent from the 211-member FIFA Congress after a reported dispute with Canadian border officials.
Iranian media said delegation members, including federation president Mehdi Taj, returned home after being “insulted” by immigration authorities.
Canada, which designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation in 2024, has said individuals linked to the group are “inadmissible”.
Speaking after returning to Iran, Taj said he wanted direct discussions with FIFA.
“We will meet with FIFA to discuss a number of issues,” he told local media.
Iran are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the tournament.
They will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, with their opening match scheduled for 15 June in Los Angeles.
