Iranian national coach Amir Ghalenoei (center) and Iranian Football Association Vice President Mehdi Mohammad Nabi (left) hold photos of children who were allegedly killed in a US-Israeli attack in Iran.Image: keystone
April 30, 2026, 7:58 p.mApril 30, 2026, 7:59 p.m
According to media reports, the President of the Iranian Football Association, Mehdi Taj, was turned away from entering Canada at the border on his way to the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. This was reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand was quoted by American media as saying that it was her “understanding” that Iranian officials had been denied entry “unintentionally.” According to Tasnim, in addition to Taj, two other officials in Toronto were prevented from entering the country.
Representatives of the 211 member associations met in Vancouver on Thursday for the last FIFA congress before the World Cup. Representatives of Iran were not present when the countries were called individually at the start of the general assembly. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström described the Iranian delegation as “absent”.
It remains to be seen whether Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup.Image: www.imago-images.de
The World Cup tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico begins on June 11th. Iran is one of the World Cup participants and will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in the group phase. The games are scheduled for Los Angeles and Seattle. The question of whether Iran will take part in the World Cup given the war with the USA has been causing a stir for weeks.
Connection to Revolutionary Guards
According to the Iran International portal, Taj was issued a visa on Monday, which was then confiscated on Tuesday because of his connection to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). The IRGC is considered a terrorist organization in Canada.
According to Tasnim’s report, the three Iranian football officials were allegedly insulted by local immigration authorities upon their arrival. The Iranian delegation then decided to cancel participation in the FIFA Congress and flew back. At the request of the German Press Agency, the Iranian association had previously explained that Iranian officials were missing in Vancouver due to visa problems.
“We cannot comment on individual cases for data protection reasons, but the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are not eligible to be admitted to Canada and have no place in our country,” said a statement from the press office of Lena Diab, Canada’s immigration minister.
President was not present at the World Cup draw
Association President Taj was unable to take part in the World Cup draw in Washington in December without a US visa. Iranian representatives were also missing from the congress of the Asian continental association AFC at the beginning of the week. One announcement simply stated that the Iranian officials would be honored by FIFA President Gianni Infantino for qualifying for the World Cup “as soon as they arrive.” (sda/dpa)