Iran make final decision on pulling out of World Cup as two Donald Trump demands issued

Qatar v Iran - 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Iran have issued FIFA with a set of demands ahead of this summer’s World Cup in North America. The Iranian football federation had threatened a boycott following the US-Israeli bombing campaign that took place earlier this year.

Iran earned a spot at the World Cup on the back of an impressive qualifying campaign, and were drawn in a group alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Prior to the geopolitical tensions escalating, it was announced that Iran would also play all three of their group matches in the United States.

It led to suggestions Iran could opt out of this summer’s tournament on political grounds, but that looks as if it’s off the cards now. With one month until the World Cup gets underway, Iran remain committed to competing at the finals, but only if their demands to FIFA and the US are met.

One of those is a request that every member of the Iranian delegation (plays, coaching staff and officials) are granted visas to travel freely into the States. It is a particularly sensitive issue because some members of the delegation are understood to have completed military service for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - an organisation described as a terrorist group by by both Canada and the US.

Iranian officials are also seeking reassurances as to how their team will be treated throughout the competition, with added emphasis on the flag and national anthem. What’s more, they are also requesting heightened security protection at airports, hotels and stadiums.

President Donald Trump White House

FIFA will be able to oversee matters relating to tournament operations, but some of Iran’s demands will be outside of their remit. For example, issues relating to visas, border control, and security checks are the responsibility of US immigration and national security.

Meanwhile, the Iranian federation have also requested journalists to limit their questions to strictly ‘technical football matters’. It could face resistance from members of the media, given the current political climate in both the Middle East and the United States.

Football and politics have regularly crossed over for the Iranian national team. At the 2022 World Cup, the men’s team refused to sing the national anthem as an expression of support for anti-government protests in their home country. Whereas, at the women's Asian Cup in Australia earlier this year, several members of the team attempted to seek asylum.

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