It’s unclear whether or not soccer officers from Iran had been issued Canadian visas to attend AFC and FIFA congresses.
Printed On 29 Apr 2026
Representatives from Iran’s soccer federation weren’t current on the largest formal assembly of Asia’s soccer leaders earlier than the World Cup.
Within the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, there was no dialogue on the Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) Congress about Iran’s participation within the match or whether or not the staff’s video games needs to be moved out of the USA due to the US-Israeli battle on Iran.
Considerations had been raised that visa points may have an effect on the Iranian delegation’s potential to journey to each the confederation assembly in Vancouver and the general FIFA Congress on Thursday, in addition to the World Cup beginning on June 11.
The 48-team match is being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
It was not clear if visa points prevented Iranian representatives from attending the AFC Congress. Nonetheless, because the 9 AFC groups that certified for the World Cup had been introduced with commemorative items, it was introduced that Iran would obtain their token “as soon as they arrive”.
An Iranian authorities spokesperson stated final week that the nationwide staff was making ready for “proud and successful participation” in its World Cup video games in the USA.
FIFA, soccer’s worldwide governing physique, has constantly stated Iran will follow the World Cup recreation schedule determined final December, earlier than the US and Israel launched navy assaults on Iran on February 28, and has refused to entertain recommendations that the staff’s video games be moved to Mexico.
“Now much more, now that the world goes by a really, very delicate, troublesome, harmful time with many conflicts, and plenty of of you’re straight affected and concerned in these conflicts,” Infantino advised the AFC leaders.
“Now much more, we have to discover methods to construct these well-known bridges, or perhaps to construct soccer fields as an alternative. And to construct competitions the place folks can be part of and are available collectively.”
Iran are positioned in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt.
Crew Melli’s deliberate coaching camp could be in Tucson, Arizona, and they’re scheduled to open their World Cup marketing campaign on June 15 in opposition to New Zealand in Inglewood, California, close to Los Angeles.
Iran will play Belgium in Inglewood on June 21 earlier than going through Egypt within the closing group match in Seattle on June 26.
