Iranian officials absent from football events ahead of World Cup in Canada
Iranian football officials were absent from key AFC and FIFA meetings in Canada ahead of the 2026 World Cup, likely due to visa issues. The team is set to compete in the US-hosted tournament in Group G. FIFA has not considered moving Iran's matches despite the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Representatives from the Iran Football Federation were absent from the largest official meeting of Asian football leaders just before the World Cup.
During the AFC Congress, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino present, there was no discussion about Iran's participation in the tournament or whether the team's matches should be moved out of the United States due to the US-Israel war against Iran.
Concerns have been raised that visa issues could affect the ability of the Iranian delegation to travel to the federation's meeting in Vancouver and the full FIFA Congress on Thursday, as well as the World Cup starting on June 11.
The 48-team tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It remains unclear whether visa issues prevented Iranian representatives from attending the AFC Congress. However, when the nine AFC teams that qualified for the World Cup received commemorative gifts, it was announced that Iran would receive its gift "when they arrive."
A spokesman for the Iranian government said last week that the national team is preparing for "a proud and successful participation" in World Cup matches in the United States.
FIFA, the international governing body of football, has insisted that Iran will follow the World Cup schedule decided in December last year, before the US and Israel launched military attacks on Iran on February 28, and has refused to consider proposals to move the team's matches to Mexico.
"Now more than ever, when the world is going through a very, very sensitive, difficult and dangerous time with many conflicts, and many of you are directly affected and involved in these conflicts," Infantino told AFC leaders.
"Now more than ever, we need to find ways to build those famous bridges, or maybe build football pitches instead. And build tournaments where people can participate and come together."
Iran is in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt.
Team Melli's planned training camp is in Tucson, Arizona, and they are expected to start their World Cup campaign on June 15 against New Zealand in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles.
Iran will face Belgium in Inglewood on June 21 before facing Egypt in the final group stage match in Seattle on June 26.
