With the World Cup commencing next month, Iranian soccer officials are set to meet with FIFA regarding their status for the tournament.
Iran
's top soccer official Mehdi Taj, who was denied entry to Canada
for FIFA's annual congress in Vancouver on Thursday, said there are "many issues to discuss" with the international governing body.
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"Our position is that we will soon have a meeting with FIFA," Taj said on Friday to Iranian media.
Iran has been wavering on playing World Cup matches since the U.S. and Israel launched military attacks on Feb. 28.
During FIFA president Gianni Infantino's keynote speech at the FIFA Congress on Thursday, he insisted Iran will come and play in the U.S.
during the tournament.
"Of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said.
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
United States of America – 12th appearance
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Portugal – ninth appearance
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Switzerland – 13th appearance
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Croatia – seventh appearance
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Australia – seventh appearance
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Morocco – seventh appearance
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Austria – eighth appearance
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Ecuador – fifth appearance
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Senegal – fourth appearance
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South Korea – 12th appearance
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Colombia – seventh appearance
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Netherlands – 12th appearance
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Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
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Uzbekistan – first appearance
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Jordan – first appearance
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Tunisia – seventh appearance
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South Africa – fourth appearance
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Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
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Scotland – ninth appearance
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Algeria – fifth appearance
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New Zealand – third appearance
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Paraguay – ninth appearance
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Cape Verde – first appearance
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Norway – fourth appearance
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Panama – second appearance
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Later that day, U.S. President Donald Trump
, who previously gave warnings for the safety of the Iran national team
if it came to the U.S., expressed support for the team to participate
in the tournament.
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"If Gianni said it, I'm OK," Trump said at the White House on Thursday.
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström invited the Iranian delegation to its headquarters in Zurich by a May 20 deadline, per the AP.
The target date is three weeks prior to Iran's expected arrival in the U.S., with Team Melli's headquarters for the World Cup set to be in Tucson, Arizona.
Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand
in Los Angeles on June 15, then takes on Belgium
in Los Angeles on June 21 before facing Egypt
in Seattle on June 26.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran to meet with FIFA over 2026 World Cup participation
