FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play in the United States, despite visa issues and diplomatic tensions.
Iran's participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches on US soil, which FIFA has rejected.
The Iranian football federation officials, including president Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the FIFA Congress but turned back at Toronto airport after being denied entry into Canada.
Canadian officials said entry decisions were made on a case-by-case basis and individuals linked to the IRGC, which Ottawa designates as a terrorist organisation, are inadmissible.
US President Donald Trump said he was "okay" with Iran playing at the World Cup, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating but added that the players would not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to the IRGC.
