Iran warns US not to block World Cup team in 'serious test' for FIFA

Iran has warned that hosting the World Cup must not become an instrument of political pressure or selective behavior against any national team, a message directed at the United States as the host nation in 2026.

Writing on his X account on Thursday, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the host country has a clear obligation to ensure equal, respectful and non-discriminatory participation for all teams that have qualified through FIFA's official channels.

"Visa, entry, accommodation, travel, the presence of official delegations, and match operational conditions must not become tools for political pressure or selective treatment against a national team," Gharibabadi said.

The major football event will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States in June and July, and comes amid the recent US-Israel war of aggression against Iran, a participating nation in the competition.

His comments come amid intensified tensions between Iran and the US in the wake of an American-Israeli war of terrorism on the country. Iran has previously faced logistical challenges when travelling for international sports events, including visa delays and restrictions on delegation sizes.

Gharibabadi stressed that Iran's national football team has earned its right to be on the pitch under FIFA regulations.

"Any obstruction for the entry of players, coaching staff, federation officials, or essential members of Iran's delegation would violate the spirit and purpose of global competitions," he wrote.

He added that such actions would contradict fundamental principles governing international sport, including equality, non-discrimination and neutrality of competition.

The deputy minister noted that the FIFA statute explicitly prohibits discrimination against countries or individuals.

"The host country cannot apply its political disputes, sanctions, or unilateral domestic decisions in a way that undermines a national team's right to participate in the world's most important football event," Gharibabadi said.

He also directed responsibility toward football's global governing body.

"FIFA has an independent responsibility. If the organizing body cannot guarantee that all qualified teams, including Iran, enter the host country without discrimination or restriction and compete on equal terms, the credibility of the World Cup itself will be damaged," he wrote.

Gharibabadi emphasized that the World Cup's global nature is incompatible with political selectivity. "Sport is an arena for athletic competition, not a continuation of pressure politics through administrative means," he said.

He said any unlawful restriction against Iran's delegation would be a serious test for FIFA and the host country.

"Either the principle of non-discrimination and sporting neutrality is respected, or the World Cup will suffer serious damage from politicisation and selective treatment," Gharibabadi said.

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