Iran says 'many issues to discuss' with FIFA ahead of World Cup games in US
Iranian football officials are set to meet with FIFA to discuss their participation in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, following entry issues into Canada. Despite recent military attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, FIFA and US President Donald Trump have affirmed Iran's participation. The talks are scheduled before May 20, ahead of Iran's planned arrival in the US in June.
- ▪Iranian football boss Mehdi Taj was denied entry into Canada despite having a valid visa, leading to missed attendance at FIFA's annual congress.
- ▪FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafström invited an Iranian delegation to meet at FIFA headquarters in Zurich by May 20.
- ▪Iran is scheduled to play World Cup group stage matches in Inglewood, California and Seattle, with a potential match against the US in Dallas if they advance.
- ▪FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump have both publicly supported Iran's participation in the tournament.
- ▪Iran's delegation claimed they were not formally deported from Canada but chose to return to Istanbul after being detained at Toronto airport.
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Iranian and FIFA football officials to meet ahead of World Cup games in USATopic:FIFA World Cup11m ago11 minutes agoFri 1 May 2026 at 9:25pmGianni Infantino says there will be no problem with Iran attending the World Cup. (Getty Images: FIFA/Rich Lam)In short:Iran has been invited to FIFA headquarters in Switzerland to discuss plans over its attendance at the World Cup on US soil.Iran football boss Mehdi Taj was absent from the FIFA's annual general meeting after issues entering Canada.What's next?Talks are set to take place before May 20, with Iran set to enter the USA ahead of the World Cup in June.abc.net.au/news/iran-officials-to-meet-fifa-ahead-of-usa-world-cup-games/106634146Link copiedShareShare articleIranian soccer officials are set to meet soon with FIFA about their World Cup…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).