Tehran: Iran's football federation announced on Saturday that the men's national team will compete in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but it demands that joint hosts the United States, Mexico, and Canada agree to its conditions amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the announcement follows Canada's refusal to allow entry to the federation's chief last month before the FIFA Congress due to his connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Canada designated as a terrorist group in 2024. The uncertainty surrounding Iran's participation in the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, stems from the conflict in the Middle East that erupted in February after military strikes by the United States and Israel.

On its official website, the Iranian federation stated, "We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account. We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions."

FFIRI President Mehdi Taj disclosed on state TV that Tehran has set forth 10 conditions for attending the global event, seeking assurances regarding the country's treatment. These conditions include the issuance of visas, respect for national symbols such as the team's flag and anthem, and demands for robust security at airports, hotels, and travel routes to the stadiums.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament but cautioned that entry might be denied to members of the Iranian delegation with ties to the IRGC, which the US also designates as a terrorist organization.

Iranian football chief Taj emphasized, "All players and technical staff, especially those who have served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC, such as Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi, should be granted visas without any problems."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran would play their World Cup matches in the United States as planned. Iran, set to be based in Tucson, Arizona, will compete against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G, starting their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. The Iranian federation insists, "No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit."