From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 30, 2026
FIFA head insists Iran will play World Cup in US despite absence from body’s Congress
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VANCOUVER, Canada — FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists Iran would play World Cup matches in the United States, as the soccer governing body’s Congress opened today without the country’s delegation, its absence highlighting tensions and challenges surrounding the tournament.
“Let me start at the outset. 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 says.
“And the reason for that is very simple, we have to unite. It is my responsibility, our responsibility.”
Iranian football federation officials, including president Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the gathering but turned back at Toronto airport after what Tehran described as “unacceptable behaviour” by Canadian immigration authorities, despite traveling with valid visas. A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters two members of the delegation could have attended the FIFA congress but chose not to after one of their delegation members was denied entry into Canada.
Taj is a former member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Canadian officials said entry decisions were made on a case-by-case basis and individuals linked to the IRGC, which Ottawa designates as a terrorist organization, are inadmissible.
The Times of Israel Community.