Iranian soccer officials claim 'inappropriate behavior' at Toronto airport
A runway at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 13, 2025. (photo credit: CARLOS OSORIO/REUTERS) The Iranian delegation was on its way to Vancouver for the FIFA Congress, set to host representatives of all 211 member associations. An Iranian football federation delegation , including a former member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said they turned back at Toronto's main airport this week, citing their treatment by Canadian immigration, and are set to miss a pre- FIFA World Cup gathering in Vancouver.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the delegation members, including federation president Mehdi Taj, secretary general Hedayat Mombeni, and his deputy Hamed Momeni, turned back upon arrival despite holding valid visas, citing what was described as the "unacceptable behavior of immigration officials. " The Iranian delegation was en route to Vancouver for Thursday's FIFA Congress, which is meant to bring together representatives of all 211 member associations ahead of the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. "While Mehdi Taj, president, Hedayat Mombeni, secretary general, and Hamed Momeni, deputy secretary general of the federation, had traveled to Toronto with official visas to attend the FIFA Congress, they returned to Turkey on the first available flight due to the unacceptable behavior of immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honorable organs of the Iranian nation's armed forces," the Iran football federation said in a statement carried by Tasnim News Agency.
Taj is a former member of Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). A World Cup ball is displayed in a shop, in Tehran, Iran, April 23, 2026. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA/REUTERS) "While we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country," the Canadian government said in a statement.
"We have taken strong action to hold the IRGC to account and will continue to do so, while protecting the safety of Canadians and upholding the integrity of our immigration system. " The incident that occurred on Tuesday underscores the practical and political obstacles surrounding Iran's participation at the World Cup, the most politically sensitive item on FIFA's agenda since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran in February. Iran's qualification has not removed hurdles tied to travel, visas and security in a tournament staged in three countries.
Canadian minister says IRGC members not welcome Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he could not speak about specific cases due to privacy legislation but Revolutionary Guard members were not welcome in Canada. In 2024, Canada listed the IRGC as a terrorist organization. "The Canadian government had granted Taj special permission to enter Canada for a FIFA event.
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