Iranian soccer boss offers update on World Cup participation after FIFA meeting

The Iranian soccer federation has yet to decide whether or not its team will participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup -Credit:ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images Iran’s participation in the rapidly approaching FIFA World Cup remains an uncertainty, despite the fact that their national team qualified back in March 2025. The ongoing war in the nation, following initial attacks by the U. S.

and Israel in late February, has left their soccer federation unwilling to commit to participating in the tournament this summer, especially with all of their group matches scheduled to be held in America. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has remained defiant throughout in his belief that Iran will participate in the tournament, reiterating as much during last month’s FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada. This prompted U.

S. President Donald Trump to label Infantino “a piece of work” when speaking with reporters in the Oval Office. Wrexham post-season report: 10 key takeaways after Premier League dream cruelly evaporates FIFA urged to take action regarding 'heat risks' ahead of World Cup FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated in April that Iran would participate in the upcoming World Cup -Credit:Luiza Moraes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images Conspicuous in their absence from the Congress, however, were delegates from the Iranian soccer federation, including President Mehdi Taj.

They were turned away at the Canadian border due to Taj’s previous ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This led Taj and Co. to meet separately with FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday.