“We are not Trump’s hospitality.” Iran puts FIFA at a crossroads ahead of the World Cup

The president of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, has called on the international federation (FIFA) to give clear official guarantees that Iran’s national team delegation will not face any insults or ill-treatment in the United States if they travel to the 2026 World Cup finals starting next June.

It comes after an Iranian delegation, including Taj, was turned away from the Canadian border last week after being harassed by immigration officials while trying to attend the FIFA General Assembly in Vancouver.

Taj confirmed that the decision to return was voluntary, but Canada’s immigration minister told parliament that Taj’s visa was revoked while he was on the plane because of his past ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

In turn, FIFA Secretary General Matthias Grafström expressed his regret for what happened and invited the Iranian federation to a meeting in Zurich on May 20 to discuss preparations for the World Cup.

Also read: Dari Clásico? Camp Nou hell is waiting for Real Madrid to pay back the 100-year debt.

Taj said in an interview with Iranian television yesterday, Tuesday, that he will demand written guarantees from FIFA regarding the treatment of the delegation in America.

“We need guarantees that no party has the right to insult our national symbols, especially the Guardians of the Revolution. This issue should be taken very seriously.”

He continued, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. “If we get those guarantees and FIFA takes clear responsibility, what happened in Canada will not happen again, because our host is FIFA and not any other country.”

The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the World Cup from June 11 to July 19, with the Iranian national team playing two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, in a group that includes Egypt, Belgium and New Zealand.

Read also: Messi or Ronaldo? The French legend predicts the winner of the 2026 World Cup

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington is not against the participation of Iranian players, but those with ties to the Revolutionary Guards will not be allowed to enter.

Taj, who previously held high positions in the Revolutionary Guard in Isfahan province, warned that the lack of guarantees could lead to the return of the delegation from the American border, stressing:

He expressed hope that Al-Ittihad will at least play a strong friendly match against a big Turkish team in preparation for the tournament.