Iranian delegation misses FIFA Congress after Canada denies entry

An Iranian football federation delegation said it turned back from Toronto's main airport this week, citing mistreatment by Canadian immigration officials, and would be unable to attend the FIFA Congress in Vancouver ahead of the World Cup.

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, delegation members including President Mehdi Taj, Secretary General Hedayat Mombeni, and Deputy Secretary General Hamed Momeni returned immediately after landing at Toronto Pearson Airport despite holding valid visas. The reason given was “unacceptable behavior by immigration officials.”

The delegation was en route to Vancouver for the FIFA Congress held on Thursday, a gathering of representatives from all 211 member federations ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

“While Mehdi Taj, chairman, Hedayat Mombeni, secretary general, and Hamed Momeni, deputy secretary general of the federation, arrived in Toronto with official visas to attend the FIFA Congress, they returned to Turkey on the first available flight due to unacceptable behavior by immigration officials at the airport and insults to one of the most honorable branches of Iran's national armed forces,” the Iranian football federation stated.

In 2024, Canada listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. A statement from the Canadian government indicated Taj was denied entry because of alleged ties to the IRGC.

“Although we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy law, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are not allowed to enter Canada and have no place in our country,” the Canadian government said. “We have taken strong action to hold the IRGC accountable and will continue to do so while protecting the safety of Canadians and maintaining the integrity of our immigration system.”

However, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said she “understands that” Iranian football officials were denied entry but emphasized the denial was “unintentional.” She said: “It's not my direct responsibility, but my understanding is there was a revocation of entry permits. It was an inadvertent matter, but I'll leave it to the relevant minister to direct.”

Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he could not comment on specific cases due to privacy law but that IRGC members are not welcome in Canada.

The incident Tuesday highlighted the practical and political obstacles surrounding Iran's participation in the World Cup, the most sensitive item on FIFA's agenda since the U.S. and Israel launched a campaign against Iran in February.

Iran's qualification cannot remove travel, visa, and security barriers in a tournament held across three countries. While FIFA insists matches will proceed as scheduled, the delegation's withdrawal raises doubts about whether Iranian players, officials, and fans can move freely across borders throughout the tournament.

According to Tasnim, FIFA contacted the Iranian delegation to express regret over the incident and said President Gianni Infantino would arrange a meeting with them at the organization's headquarters.

The FIFA Congress is usually a routine event, but this year holds greater significance as the World Cup is less than two months away, with many open questions including costs and Iran's participation in the first 48-team World Cup. Iranian officials also could not attend the Asian Football Confederation Congress held Tuesday in Vancouver.