FIFA and Iranian Federation Discuss World Cup Participation Arrangements in Istanbul

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström held what was described as a constructive meeting with Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss operational issues related to Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup. The discussions focused on ensuring the Iranian national team's presence in the global tournament, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, amidst ongoing logistical challenges related to travel and accommodation.

Following the meeting, Mehdi Taj clarified that entry visas for the Iranian delegation had not yet been issued. He noted that the federation presented ten technical and administrative points, which received attention from FIFA officials who proposed solutions for each. Taj stated in this context, “I am happy that they listened to the Iranian arguments and the ten points we raised, and they proposed solutions for each. I hope our national team can travel to the World Cup without any problems and achieve good results.”

For his part, the FIFA Secretary General affirmed a commitment to joint work to ensure Iran's participation in the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 and runs until July 19. Grafström commented after the talks, “We had an excellent and very constructive meeting with the Iranian Football Federation, and we are working in close cooperation and look forward to welcoming them to the World Cup.”

The Iranian national team is scheduled to depart Tehran on Monday for Turkey to hold a training camp before moving to its main camp at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, USA.

The Iranian team will play its group stage matches on American soil, opening its campaign against New Zealand on June 15. These intensive discussions between the two parties aim to overcome remaining administrative obstacles to ensure the team's timely arrival for the final preparations for the global event that brings together elite international teams.