Iran FA demands FIFA guarantees over United States World Cup travel
Iranian FA president Mehdi Taj has demanded FIFA guarantees respect for his nation’s military institutions ahead of the upcoming World Cup in the United States following a recent visa dispute in Canada.
Uncertainty currently surrounds the national team’s participation in the summer tournament due to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the US and Israel.
The squad is scheduled to play group stage matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium, before facing Egypt in Seattle.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that individuals with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would be denied entry into the country.
Visa cancellations prompt FIFA talks
The demands follow an incident last week where a delegation from the Middle Eastern nation turned back from the Canadian border ahead of a FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Canada’s immigration minister confirmed that Taj’s visa was cancelled mid-flight due to his historical links with the IRGC.
The military organisation remains a major political and economic force domestically, but is designated as a terrorist group by both the US and Canada.
Following the diplomatic friction, FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom invited the Iranian federation to Zurich to discuss their tournament preparations.
Focus remains on football governing body
Speaking to state broadcaster IRIB, the former high-ranking IRGC official insisted that international football’s governing body is ultimately responsible for their safety and treatment.
“We are going to the World Cup, for which we qualified, and our host is Fifa – not Mr Trump or America,” Taj said.
“If they accept hosting us, then they must also accept that they must not insult our military institutions in any way.”
The football executive warned that any perceived insults could lead to the squad returning home, mirroring the recent situation in North America.
Guarantees needed for peace of mind
“We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system – especially the IRGC,” Taj said.
“So there must be this kind of guarantee so that we can go with peace of mind.”
The geopolitical backdrop remains highly volatile following US and Israeli air strikes on Iranian targets in February.
As the only member of FIFA’s 211 federations to miss the recent congress, the Asian powerhouse now faces an anxious wait to see if diplomatic hurdles will impact their on-pitch ambitions.