FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström is set to meet officials from the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) in Istanbul on Saturday to provide reassurances regarding Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The talks come as uncertainty continues to surround Iran’s involvement in the tournament following the escalation of tensions between Tehran, the United States and Israel after military strikes launched in late February.
Iran qualified for the World Cup through the Asian qualifiers and are scheduled to play all three group-stage matches in the United States during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
Concerns have emerged in recent weeks over whether Iranian players, officials and support staff would be able to enter the United States without restrictions amid the ongoing geopolitical crisis.
In a message addressed to FIFA, Iranian football officials stressed that the national team had earned its place in the tournament “on the field” and warned against any measures that could prevent its participation.
The federation argued that blocking the entry of players, coaching staff or officials would undermine the principles of the World Cup and damage the credibility of the competition itself.
According to the source, FIFA has been working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that all qualified teams can participate in the tournament under safe and secure conditions.
The issue gained further attention after U.S. President Donald Trump said two weeks ago that he was “okay” with Iran taking part in the World Cup despite the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Iran had reportedly requested that its World Cup matches be relocated to Mexico because of concerns linked to the political situation and travel arrangements.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained that all matches will take place at their originally designated venues.
The Iranian national team is expected to leave Tehran on Monday for a pre-tournament training camp in Turkey as preparations continue despite the diplomatic tensions.
Following the camp, the squad is scheduled to travel to its World Cup base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, in early June.
Iran are due to begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand national football team in Los Angeles on June 15.
The situation places FIFA in a delicate position as football’s governing body seeks to balance political tensions with its commitment to ensuring that all qualified nations are able to compete without discrimination.
The controversy also highlights the broader geopolitical pressures surrounding the tournament, with relations between the United States and Iran remaining strained amid continuing military and diplomatic confrontation in the Middle East.
For Iran, participation in the World Cup carries significance beyond sport, as the national team has become one of the country’s few global platforms during a period of heightened international isolation and regional instability.
