Iran reportedly demands assurances for World Cup

Iran maintains it will participate in this summer’s World Cup competition in North America, but Tehran is demanding a series of guarantees for its players and coaches from FIFA and the tournament’s hosts.

The Iranian Football Federation asked FIFA and the competition’s hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — for guarantees that its players, coaches and other officials will receive visas to attend the tournament that kicks off June 11, the BBC reported.

The demand includes visas for those on the team who have completed military service with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is listed as a terrorist organization in Canada and the U.S.

According to a statement from the Iranian Football Federation cited by the BBC, Iran also wants assurances that its team will receive enhanced security during the tournament and that respect for the Iranian flag and national anthem will be maintained.

“All players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems,” Football Federation President Mehdi Taj told Iranian media, according to a report in the Independent.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stated that Iran will participate in the World Cup and play in the U.S. “because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”

The latest comments were made after the president of the Iranian Football Federation was denied entry to Canada to attend a congress on the competition.

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