WANA (Feb 06) – The head of Iran’s Football Federation has dismissed reports suggesting that Iran could be excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing that the national team’s participation plans are proceeding in line with FIFA regulations.

 

Mehdi Taj said in a televised interview on Friday that preparations for the national team are continuing as scheduled. He announced that a key meeting will be held in Malaysia in the coming days to discuss support mechanisms for Iran’s national teams, with a particular focus on the senior squad.

 

Taj added that the federation is planning to organize two international friendly matches in March–April 2026 as part of Iran’s build-up to the World Cup. Details of the matches and the opponents will be officially announced soon.

 

He acknowledged that arranging high-level friendlies is challenging due to international scheduling constraints, but emphasized that holding two quality matches during that period is now certain. According to Taj, negotiations for one of these games have already reached their final stage.

 

He noted that one of the leading options is a strong African team, an opponent that has also been approved by Iran’s national team head coach. In addition, friendly matches against European sides such as Scotland or Iceland are being considered in order to simulate playing styles similar to those of Iran’s potential group-stage rivals at the World Cup.

 

Addressing rumors about Iran’s possible exclusion from the 2026 tournament, Taj described them as inaccurate and misleading. “The structure of the World Cup is clear, and no team can be arbitrarily added or removed,” he said. “Even host countries are not allowed to change the rules and must fully comply with FIFA regulations.”

 

He added that if any issues were to arise, they would be reviewed by FIFA, and that the Iranian Football Federation has already conducted the necessary official correspondence. Taj also pointed out that no participating delegation has yet received U.S. visas for the tournament. However, Iran has formally submitted its requests and will soon apply for visas for around 50 members of its delegation, based on the head coach’s list. He stressed that there is no cause for concern in this regard.

 

In closing, Taj said that wearing the national team jersey remains a matter of pride for Iranian players. He noted that no player has expressed reluctance to represent the national team and that raising Iran’s flag on the international stage continues to be a shared source of motivation and honor for the squad.

Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group A - Iran v United Arab Emirates - Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran

Soccer Football – World Cup – AFC Qualifiers – Third Round – Group A – Iran v United Arab Emirates – Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, Iran – March 20, 2025
Iran players players pose for a team group photo before the match
Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)