WANA (May 14) – Ali Kaffashian said Iran’s national football team should participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, stressing that under the current circumstances, attending the tournament is the right decision despite ongoing political and security concerns.

 

Speaking about the situation surrounding Iran’s national team ahead of the World Cup, the former football federation chief described current conditions as “unpredictable” and said the regional atmosphere could change at any moment. He noted that while the situation is calm for now, possible future tensions could affect decisions later on.

 

Kaffashian said that if he were currently leading the federation, he would still support sending the team to the United States unless higher authorities concluded that security conditions made participation unsafe.

 

He also warned that anti-Iran groups could attempt to create problems for the team both inside and outside stadiums during the tournament. According to him, similar incidents have occurred in previous competitions, although security forces usually prevented serious disruptions. He added that under the current political climate, there are concerns that security protections may not be enforced as strictly as before.

 

The former federation president emphasized that players and coaching staff must remain mentally prepared, stay united, and avoid distractions throughout the tournament.

 

Commenting on concerns over visa issues following the return of Mehdi Taj from Canada, Kaffashian said countries such as the United States ultimately make visa decisions based on their own policies rather than FIFA regulations. He pointed out that similar situations had happened before, even under normal circumstances.

 

Despite those concerns, he said he believes there is a “99 percent chance” that all Iranian players and coaching staff will receive visas to enter the United States. He added that some accompanying individuals could face difficulties, but major problems for the team itself are unlikely.

 

Kaffashian also called for prior coordination with FIFA regarding security guarantees for Iran’s delegation. However, he noted that FIFA’s ability to intervene would be limited if the host country chose not to cooperate fully.

 

In closing, he expressed hope that Iran’s players would focus solely on football and deliver strong performances during the tournament, saying good results on the field would be the best response to outside pressure and controversy.

 

A Grand Farewell Ceremony for Iran’s National Team Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

WANA (May 13) – Tehran’s Enghelab Square turned into the heart of national unity and football passion on Wednesday night as thousands of supporters gathered to bid farewell to Iran’s national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The grand public ceremony, attended by senior government officials, football authorities, artists, and fans, marked […]

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