Iran absent at FIFA Congress but will play at World Cup – Infantino
Iran was the only country not represented as FIFA held its annual congress on Thursday, April 30, in Canada.
However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran “will be participating” in this summer’s World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
There has been uncertainty over Iran’s involvement in the tournament due to geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Israel.
Infantino said: “Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason is simple — we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”
Officials from the Iranian Football Federation, including its president Mehdi Taj, had been expected to attend the congress in Vancouver. However, Iran was the only one of FIFA’s 211 member associations not present.
Iranian news agency Tasnim earlier reported that the delegation was turned back at border control, citing issues with Canadian immigration authorities.
Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, said her understanding was that there had been a “revocation” of permission for the delegation to enter the country.
Taj is reported to have links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organisation in Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said IRGC members are “prohibited from coming” into the country. Speaking to reporters, he declined to comment on specific cases due to privacy laws, but noted that the IRGC has been listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada for several years.
“There are multiple hurdles in order to get into the country, and the important thing is that those hurdles are effective,” Carney added.
The Iranian Football Federation has not yet commented on its absence.
Minister Anand added: “My understanding is that there was a revocation of the permission. It was unintentional, but I’ll leave it to the minister to clarify.
“Our position on Iran is clear from a diplomatic standpoint — we have had no diplomatic relations with Iran for over 10 years.”
The World Cup begins on 11 June, with Iran scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, before playing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
US President Donald Trump has previously said Iran would be welcome at the tournament, though he suggested they should not participate “for their own life and safety.”
Asked again following Infantino’s remarks, Trump said: “Well, if Gianni said it, I’m OK. I think let ’em play.”
Iran had reportedly petitioned for its matches to be played in Mexico, but Infantino has consistently maintained the country will compete as scheduled.
