The presence of Iran in the upcoming World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada was guaranteed this Thursday by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. But the controversy started a long time ago, especially after the country’s invasion by the alliance between the US and Israel. That controversy persists 41 days before the competition begins. The Iranian delegation did not participate this Thursday in the Congress that the world football governing body is holding these days in Vancouver because one of its members was not allowed to enter the country by Canadian immigration authorities.
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The absence of Iran at the conclave highlights the geopolitical tensions and logistical problems looming over the World Cup. The officials of the Iranian Football Federation, including president Mehdi Taj, had planned to attend the meeting but turned back at Toronto airport after what Tehran called “unacceptable behavior” by the Canadian immigration authorities, despite traveling with validly issued visas.
A source with direct knowledge told Reuters that two members of the delegation could have attended the FIFA Congress, but they decided not to after one of them, the main official, was denied entry to Canada. Thus, no seats were arranged for Iran at the Vancouver Convention Center, as confirmed by a Reuters reporter, while 210 of the 211 member federations were listed as present.
Canadian authorities stated that decisions on entry to the country are made on a case-by-case basis and reiterated that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Ottawa designates as a terrorist organization, are inadmissible. Taj is a former member of that corps.
Shortly after, at the Vancouver congress, an attempt was made to calm the situation: “Of course, Iran is going to play in the United States of America. The reason is very simple. We have to unite and get closer to the people. FIFA unites the world. We must always remember to be positive,” Infantino said during the organization’s annual congress. “We must be happy. There are enough problems in the world. If no one tries to unite us… What will happen in our world? It is an opportunity we have at the congress and at the World Cup. We have the power and the magic of being all united because united we are invincible,” he added.
A few hours later, US President Donald Trump stated that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had told him he could decide whatever he wanted about allowing or not the entry of the Iranian team to compete in the World Cup, which is played from June 11 on US soil, in Mexico, and Canada. “Gianni is fantastic. He is my friend, and we talked about the matter; he told me: ‘Do what you want. You can accept them. You can not accept them. You don’t have to have them,” Trump said at an event held at the White House.
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The Republican responded this way when informed of the announcement made by Infantino shortly before. “Well, if Gianni has decided, then I think it’s fine,” he concluded.
The incident leaves one of the most politically sensitive delegations absent from FIFA’s annual meeting, depriving the congress of the direct representation of a country whose presence in the World Cup is already shaping behind-the-scenes discussions.
The Iranian team, one of the 48 qualified for the tournament, has its three group stage matches scheduled in the United States — two in California and one in Seattle. Iran was drawn into Group G, along with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated in March that Iran will travel to the United States to participate in the tournament, and the Iranian government even confirmed preparations. However, it also criticized statements by Donald Trump, who said on March 12 that he did not consider it “appropriate” for them to travel to the country “for their own life and safety.”
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