FIFA holds ‘positive’ talks with Iranian football officials on World Cup

FIFA offers solutions for each of Iran’s concerns before games in US, Iran’s football chief says.FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom says he held a constructive and positive meeting with ⁠Iran’s football chief, Mehdi ⁠Taj, expressing confidence about the country’s participation at the World Cup.“We’ve had an excellent meeting ⁠and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association,” Grafstrom told the Reuters news agency on Saturday. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”Iran are scheduled to play all three of their group matches in ⁠the United States, but the team’s participation in the June 11 to July 19 tournament has been in question since the US and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, sparking a regional conflict.More questions have arisen after the Iran" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="126758" data-entity-type="organization">Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) President Taj was refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver this month.An FFIRI delegation led by Taj turned back upon arrival at Toronto’s main airport, citing their treatment by Canadian Immigration, and missed a pre-World Cup FIFA gathering in Vancouver. They alleged “unacceptable behaviour of Immigration officials” despite holding valid visas.In 2024, Canada listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist organisation”, and statements from the Canadian government indicated that Taj was denied entry due to his alleged ties with the IRGC.The incident triggered fears that there may be issues for some of the Iranian delegation entering the US.