Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei says the host countries for the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup 2026 must issue visas without political considerations, calling on FIFA to ensure proper conditions for teams travelling to the tournament.

Iranian football officials raised concerns after their FIFA Congress delegation turned back at the Canadian border last week, citing disrespectful treatment.

This was after the federation’s President Mehdi Taj had his visa cancelled.

Baghaei says Iran’s national team will travel to the United States (US) for the FIFA World Cup and it’s the governing body’s responsibility to guarantee arrangements, including visas, in line with its regulations.

“We will make every effort. Look, our national football team is not ‘travelling’ to the US, rather we are going there to take part in the FIFA World Cup. Therefore, it is FIFA’s responsibility to provide all the necessary facilities and conditions. Host governments also have a very clear obligation under FIFA regulations to provide the necessary arrangements and issue the required visas without taking political considerations or motives into account. We hope that FIFA, if only for the sake of preserving its own credibility, will certainly take the necessary measures.”

Iran will also seek assurances from FIFA over its treatment in the US, a co-host of the June tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, warning that a lack of guarantees could disrupt the team’s participation in the tournament.

–SABC–