Will Iran join FIFA World Cup this year? Global football body to meet the side

TEHRAN: FIFA is set to hold talks with Iranian football officials in Istanbul on Saturday as concerns persist over Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, according to officials.

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom will meet representatives of the Iranian Football Federation to provide reassurance regarding the country’s involvement in the tournament, sources familiar with the matter said.

Iran have already been included in the World Cup draw and are scheduled to play their group-stage matches in the United States during the June 11 to July 19 tournament. However, questions over their participation have emerged amid broader geopolitical tensions, including the recent US-Iran standoff.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said in a social media post this week that FIFA must ensure equal access for all qualified teams.

“The Iranian national football team has earned its right to participate on the field in accordance with FIFA regulations,” he said.

“Any obstruction to the entry of players, technical staff, federation officials, or essential members of the Iranian delegation would violate the spirit and purpose of the World Cup,” he added.

He further warned that any failure to guarantee entry for all qualified teams “would damage the credibility of the World Cup itself.”

FIFA has not publicly commented on the specifics of the discussions.