FIFA's 76th Congress: Iran, protests and human rights take center stage
Anushe Engineer | Al Jazeera English
FIFA's 76th Congress in Vancouver, Canada, is dominated by human rights, geopolitical tensions, and Iran's delegation being denied entry. Amnesty International calls for transparency on human rights protections at the 2026 World Cup, while local fans protest the possible relocation of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
FIFA's 76th Congress is taking place in Vancouver, Canada, bringing together delegates from more than 200 member associations. The event comes just weeks before North America co-hosts the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico. Political and human rights issues are expected to dominate the agenda.
Iran's delegation left Canada on the eve of the congress after being denied entry at Toronto's airport. The Iranian Football Federation said its officials held valid visas but were forced to return following 'unacceptable behavior from immigration staff' and insults to Iran's armed forces. Canada has listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization since 2024 and stated that Iranian Federation President Mehdi Taj was refused entry on suspicions of links to the IRGC.
According to the agenda, this year's congress focuses on financial and logistical matters for the 48-team World Cup — the largest edition ever. Geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the war with the US and Israel are also up for discussion, along with the unresolved question of international bans on Russia.
Amnesty International has urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to release details on how human rights will be protected at the World Cup. In a statement, the organization stressed: 'With just six weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, the FIFA President has yet to publicly disclose how fans, journalists, and local communities will be protected from arbitrary detention, mass deportations, and suppression of free speech.' Last week, more than 120 civil society organizations, including Amnesty and the ACLU, issued a 'travel advisory' for foreigners coming to the US for the World Cup, citing 'deteriorating human rights conditions' in the host country.
Vancouver football fans also staged protests during the congress. The #SaveTheCaps campaign opposes the potential relocation of the Vancouver Whitecaps — a Major League Soccer (MLS) club — to Las Vegas after it was put up for sale in 2024. The Vancouver Southsiders supporters' group plans to gather early on the day of the congress to pressure international media. Whitecaps' home ground, BC Place, is set to host seven matches of the 2026 World Cup. In a statement, the club said it has contacted more than 100 parties but has yet to receive a viable offer to keep the team in Vancouver, citing 'structural challenges with stadium economics, venue access, and revenue limitations.'
