Iranian football federation

Also known as: Iran's football federation · Iran's national football team · Iranian team · Football Federation of Iran

Iranian Football Federation — governing body coordinating Iran's 2026 World Cup participation amid visa and diplomatic challenges.

2026-04-242026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Iranian football federation

Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
14 MayCitizen Digital
… The president of the Iranian Football Federation said late May 9 that if Iran dropped out of the World Cup, it would deprive the country of a "major diplomatic asset". …
Iran says no US visas issued yet for 2026 World Cup
14 MayCitizen Digital
… The president of the Iranian Football Federation said late May 9 that if Iran dropped out of the World Cup, it would deprive the country of a "major diplomatic asset". …
Iran holds World Cup send-off for national football team
5 MayCitizen Digital
… (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP) Audio By Vocalize FIFA has invited the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) to its headquarters for talks over the country's participation at this year's World Cup, a source told AFP on Tuesday. …
FIFA invites Iran to headquarters for World Cup talks
1 MayCitizen Digital
… Officials from the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) abruptly left Canada after landing in Toronto, abandoning their onward trip to Vancouver. …
Infantino confirms Iran will play World Cup games in US
April 2026
30 AprCitizen Digital
… is already threatening to overshadow the meeting. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Officials from the Iranian football federation …
Iran, World Cup loom over FIFA Congress
24 AprCitizen Digital
… The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) had said in April it was "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. …
Italy dismisses talk of replacing Iran at World Cup

Sport

FIFA permits rainbow flags at Egypt-Iran World Cup match

The News

FIFA said fans will be allowed to bring rainbow flags to Egypt's Group G match against Iran during Pride weekend at the 2026 World Cup in Seattle, despite objections from both countries where homosexuality is criminalised. Egypt's Football Association had said the "Pride Match" designation clashed with its cultural and religious values, and Iran's Football Federation called for no ceremonies or activities associated with the movement inside the stadium.

27 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 27 June

FIFA permits rainbow flags at Egypt-Iran World Cup match
FIFA said fans will be allowed to bring rainbow flags to Egypt's Group G match against Iran during Pride weekend at the 2026 World Cup in Seattle, despite objections from both countries where homosexuality is criminalised. Egypt's Football Association had said the "Pride Match" designation clashed with its cultural and religious values, and Iran's Football Federation called for no ceremonies or activities associated with the movement inside the stadium.
27 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 19 June

Iran lodge FIFA complaint over World Cup travel restrictions
The Iranian football federation said it will lodge a complaint with FIFA after its request to travel from Tijuana to Los Angeles two days before its match against Belgium was denied. The federation cited technical reasons for the early travel, including allowing players to adapt to match conditions and complete final preparations.
19 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
USA and Australia pursue World Cup knockout qualification
The USA and Australia will face off in a Group D match on Friday, with both teams eyeing progression to the World Cup knockout rounds after strong opening wins—the Americans defeated Paraguay 4-1 and Australia upset Turkey 2-0. Brazil will also play Haiti as they seek to revive their campaign.
19 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 16 June

Iran winger's US visa expires after World Cup opener
Iranian national team winger Mehdi Torabi was issued only a single-entry US visa, which expired after Iran's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their World Cup opening match. The Iranian Football Federation is seeking a new visa for Torabi to allow him to continue participating in upcoming matches.
16 June 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 10 June

US defends World Cup visa ban for Somali referee
The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff. A US State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for US entry.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 6 June

US grants visas to Iranian footballers for 2026 World Cup
The US has confirmed that Iran's national football team has been granted visas to enter the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US despite ongoing regional tensions between the two countries.
6 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
US, Iran trade military strikes despite World Cup ceasefire attempts
New attacks in the Middle East on Friday threatened a fragile US-Iran ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, with the US military striking Iranian radar sites after downing drones, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards responding with missile strikes toward Kuwait and Bahrain. Weeks of complex talks have failed to secure a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
6 June 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 5 June

Iran football squad seeks US visas for 2026 World Cup
Iran's national football team handed their passports to the US embassy in Turkey for visa applications ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, according to Iran's Football Federation head Mehdi Taj, following FIFA's instructions. The team's participation remains uncertain as Iran and the US negotiate to end a Middle East war that began in February.
5 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 21 May

Iran federation confident in World Cup protocols amid tensions
Iran's football federation vice-president expressed confidence in FIFA's protocols as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Iran will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
21 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 17 May

FIFA and Iran hold constructive meeting on 2026 World Cup participation
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom described a meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation as "excellent" and "constructive," focusing on ensuring Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play all three group matches in the US despite the war in the Middle East.
17 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 14 May

Iran football federation says no World Cup visas issued yet
Iran's football federation chief said no visas had been issued for the Iranian national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, and announced a planned meeting with FIFA to resolve the visa issue.
14 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Iran holds World Cup send-off ceremony for national team
Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday in Tehran's Enghelab Square for the national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
14 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 5 May

FIFA invites Iran to headquarters for World Cup preparation talks
FIFA has invited Iran's football federation to its Zurich headquarters by May 20 to prepare for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran will participate and play its games in the United States as scheduled, despite uncertainty arising from Middle East conflict.
5 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 1 May

FIFA President confirms Iran will play World Cup games in US
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reaffirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play their games in the United States as scheduled, despite uncertainty stemming from Middle East tensions since February.
1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 30 April

FIFA Congress meets as Iran, World Cup issues loom
FIFA's 76th Congress convenes in Vancouver less than two months before the World Cup opens across Canada, Mexico and the United States, with roughly 1,600 delegates expected to discuss the Iran war, World Cup logistics, and Russia's international ban. Iran's football federation officials abruptly left Canada after landing in Toronto, threatening to overshadow the meeting.
30 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 24 April

Italy dismisses bid to replace Iran at 2026 World Cup
Italy's government and sports officials rejected suggestions by a US envoy that Italy replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup, with Italy's sports minister stating reinstatement "is not possible" and "you qualify on the pitch." Iran's embassy called the proposal an example of US "moral bankruptcy."
24 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →