2026 World Cup: "A very constructive meeting with the Iran Football Federation" (M. Grafström, FIFA)

"We’ve had an excellent meeting — a constructive meeting together with the Iran Football Federation. I think we’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming IR Iran to the FIFA World Cup 2026," Mattias Grafström, general secretary of FIFA, said on 16 May 2026.

The Swede led a FIFA delegation that met officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) in Istanbul (Turkey) "to offer reassurance and support regarding Team Melli’s participation in the FIFA World Cup" in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The meeting in Turkey, where the Iranian national team is due to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, took place after the federation submitted 10 conditions to FIFA regarding its participation in the competition on 08/05/2026.

These conditions include visa issuance, respect for the Iranian staff, flag and national anthem, as well as a high level of security in airports, hotels and during travel to the stadiums where the Iranian national team will play (schedule below). The team has selected Tucson, Arizona, as its base camp.

"We had a positive…