Iran says FIFA must ensure World Cup access, urges hosts to issue visas without politics
Iran had previously declined to participate, citing the war.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said the country's national football team would participate in the 2026 World Cup, but FIFA must ensure the "necessary facilities and conditions."
"We will make every effort. Look, our national football team is not 'travelling' to the United States, rather we are going there to take part in the FIFA World Cup," Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Wednesday. "Therefore, it is FIFA’s responsibility to provide all the necessary facilities and conditions."
The World Cup will be held this summer across the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
The spokesperson also said it is the responsibility of the host countries under FIFA regulations to "provide the necessary arrangements and issue the required visas without taking political considerations or motives into account."
The spokesperson said he hoped FIFA would ensure the measures.
The president of Iran’s Football Federation Mehdi Taj said last week the Iranian national football team has qualified to participate in the World Cup and that it was their right to take part.
The remarks from the foreign ministry also come after FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran would participate in the World Cup this year, including playing in the U.S.
"Of course Iran will play in the United States of America," he said last month. "And the reason for that is very simple, dear friends, it's because we have to unite."
Iran's sports minister had said in March the nation's team would not participate in the global sporting event amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. A ceasefire has been in place since April 7.
The Iranian team had been scheduled to play in the tournament's Group G, alongside Egypt, New Zealand and Belgium.
President Donald Trump was asked about the announcement at an unrelated news conference last week and responded, "If Gianni said it, I'm OK."
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