Overview
- Iran’s football federation says the team will play in North America only if hosts meet a 10-point list covering visas, security, and respect for the flag and anthem.
- FIFA has reaffirmed that Iran will compete and has invited the federation to Zurich for preparations and talks on how to stage the team’s matches in the United States.
- Visa access sits at the core of the dispute because the U.S. and Canada list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, which can block entry for players or staff who completed mandatory service.
- U.S. officials have said Iranian players would be welcome but warned that delegation members with IRGC ties may be barred, after Canada recently refused entry to federation chief Mehdi Taj.
- Iran is slated to base in Tucson and open Group G against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, setting a tight timeline to resolve visa and security issues that could affect named veterans like Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi.