ISTANBUL — FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom met with Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj in Istanbul, Turkiye, and expressed confidence about Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"We've had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association. We're working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup," Grafstrom said.

Taj said the federation's concerns had been heard. "I am pleased that they listened to Iran's points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them. I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there," he said.

Grafstrom declined to provide details on the visa situation for Iran's players, saying the two sides had used the Istanbul meeting to discuss operational matters. "We've discussed all relevant matters, but I think it's not the place to discuss the details. Overall, a very positive meeting and we're looking forward to continuing the dialogue," he said.

The meeting followed an incident in May 2026 in which Taj was refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. The FFIRI delegation, led by Taj, turned back upon arrival at Toronto's main airport and missed the pre-World Cup FIFA gathering. The delegation alleged they encountered unacceptable behaviour by Canadian immigration officials despite holding valid visas. The Canadian government indicated that Taj was denied entry due to his alleged ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada listed as a terrorist organisation in 2024.

Iran had requested that their 2026 World Cup matches be switched to Mexico, which is cohosting the tournament with the United States and Canada. FIFA President Gianni Infantino insisted all World Cup games must be played at the grounds originally scheduled. Iran are scheduled to play all three of their group matches in the U.S.

Iran's squad will leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkiye on Monday before moving to their base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, in early June 2026. The team is scheduled to begin its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, 2026, and will also face Belgium and Egypt in Group G. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.