Iran to play in 2026 FIFA World Cup, with conditions

Iran's national football team announced its participation in the 2026 World Cup but set conditions for the host countries, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, due to the ongoing Middle East war. Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj stated that ten conditions must be met, including visa issuance and respect for the national team. Despite the tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that Iranian players would be welcome at the tournament.