FIFA invites Iran to Zurich for World Cup 2026 discussions

FIFA has officially invited the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) to its headquarters in Zurich for important talks regarding Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to a source who spoke to AFP on Tuesday, FIFA requested that Iranian football officials travel to Zurich by May 20. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss final preparations and resolve outstanding issues ahead of the global tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Iran’s participation had earlier been uncertain due to rising political and military tensions in the Middle East, following renewed conflict and strikes involving the United States and Israel earlier in the year.

Despite the concerns, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has publicly confirmed that Iran will take part in the tournament.

He also stated that Iran will play its matches in the United States as planned, reassuring football fans and stakeholders that their qualification remains valid.

Iran’s presence at recent FIFA meetings has also been affected by diplomatic issues. The country was absent from a FIFA Congress held in Vancouver after a disagreement with Canadian immigration authorities.

Reports indicate that members of the Iranian delegation left Canada after encountering difficulties at the border, which Iranian media described as disrespectful treatment.

The president of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, who previously served in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), later stated that he is seeking direct discussions with FIFA leadership to address several concerns affecting Iranian football administration and international participation.

On the sporting side, Iran has already been drawn into Group G for the tournament. They will compete against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage.

Their first match is scheduled to take place against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles.

The invitation to Zurich is seen as an important step to ensure Iran’s smooth participation in the tournament and to clarify any administrative or diplomatic issues before the competition begins.