Iran at 2026 World Cup: Iran absent from Fifa congress, but will be at World Cup

Iran were the only country not represented as Fifa met on Thursday for its annual congress in Canada.

But Gianni Infantino, president of world football’s governing body, reiterated again that the country “will be participating” in this summer’s World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

There has been uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the tournament because of the war with the US and Israel.

But Infantino added: “Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”

Iranian football federation officials, including its president Mehdi Taj, had been due to attend the Fifa congress in Vancouver, but the nation was the only one from 211 not present.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim had earlier reported the delegation turned back at border control, citing their treatment by Canadian immigration authorities.

Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, said her understanding is that there was a “revocation” of the permission to enter the country.

Taj is said to have ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organisation in Canada.