New York, USA – International press reports have revealed the absence of representatives from the Iranian Football Federation at a major official meeting of Asian football leaders. This comes just weeks before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
According to the Associated Press, Iranian representatives did not attend the meeting held Tuesday evening in Vancouver, Canada, under the auspices of FIFA. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and several Asian football leaders were present.
During his speech, Infantino emphasized the important role of football in bringing people together. He also said that the world is going through complex times that require strengthening bridges and organizing tournaments that unite everyone.
The report indicated that the meeting did not address the issue of Iran’s participation in the World Cup or the possibility of moving its matches outside the United States. This occurred despite the existing tensions.
Questions were also raised about whether the Iranian delegation’s attendance might be affected by visa issues, both for the Vancouver meeting and the subsequent FIFA Congress. Furthermore, questions were raised about the tournament itself.
The report clarified that it was not confirmed whether these obstacles were behind the absence. However, it noted that commemorative gifts were presented to the nine qualified teams. It added that Iran was scheduled to receive its share upon the arrival of its representatives.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are scheduled to host the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in the tournament’s history. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19.
The Iranian national team is in Group G, where they will begin their campaign against New Zealand before facing Belgium and then Egypt. All of their matches will be played in the United States.
