Iran set to play 2026 World Cup after 'positive meeting' with FIFA

After several months of uncertainty, it seems likely Iran will indeed participate in the 2026 World Cup.

On Saturday, May 16, a FIFA delegation led by secretary general Mattias Grafström met with Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) officials in Istanbul, Turkey.

The two sides met amid continued uncertainty over Iran's World Cup status. The U.S. and Israel launched an armed conflict against the Middle East nation in late February, with the nations currently in an unsteady ceasefire.

The United States is serving as co-host of the World Cup along with Mexico and Canada, and Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group stage matches in the U.S.

FFIRI president Mehdi Taj said earlier this month that Tehran has 10 conditions for attending the tournament.

Among those Taj named were players and staff who have served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be allowed in the United States, the presence of the team flag and national anthem at the event, and increased security.

According to Taj, the meeting in Istanbul went some way toward easing his concerns.

“We had a positive and constructive meeting with FIFA," Taj said in a FIFA announcement. "We discussed our concerns and expressed our joint commitment to ensure the smooth participation of Team Melli at the FIFA World Cup."

Taj was denied entry to Canada for last month's FIFA Congress due to his previous service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of Iran's military that is considered a terrorist organization in both the U.S. and Canada.

After the meeting, Grafström echoed Taj's words and expressed optimism that Iran would participate in the World Cup without a hitch.

“We’ve had an excellent meeting — a constructive meeting together with the Iran FA. I think we’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them to the FIFA World Cup 2026,” the FIFA secretary general said.

“We’ve had the opportunity to discuss some of the operational matters, like we do with every Member Association. But I’m very happy that we were able to have this positive exchange, and both the Iran FA and FIFA are very happy with the meeting and looking forward to welcoming Team Melli in the USA, Canada and Mexico.”

Iran names preliminary World Cup roster

In another sign of Iran's likely participation in the World Cup, head coach head coach Amir Ghalenoei named a 30-man World Cup preliminary roster on Saturday.

Ghalenoei will have to cut four players from the squad by the June 1 deadline for teams to finalize their 26-man rosters.

Iran will face Gambia in a pre-tournament friendly in Antalya, Turkey on May 29 before traveling to its base camp in Tucson, Arizona.

Iran is scheduled kick off its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Team Melli will also take on Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.