Iran asks FIFA not to allow pride flags at World Cup games in their list of requests.
Iran earned their spot in the 2026 World Cup over a year ago, but there have been questions about whether they will be able to take part, especially after the United States and Israel launched strikes in Iran earlier this year. The tournament will be held across the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, and the ongoing conflicts have made Iran’s participation uncertain.
Hosting the World Cup in these countries hasn’t stopped FIFA or its president, Gianni Infantino, from moving forward as planned. Some actions, like awarding the FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump just before the conflict began, have caused controversy and might be remembered for a long time.
There are also concerns about the safety of Iranian players and fans in the US, where tensions have been high. Unfortunately, rather than offering reassurance, Trump has sometimes hinted at threats. In April, when Paolo Zampolli suggested Italy should take Iran’s place at the World Cup, it added to the worries.
The situation escalated when Iranian officials, including FA chief Mehdi Taj, were reportedly denied entry to Canada for a FIFA event because of Taj’s alleged ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Taj condemned the treatment and sent FIFA and the host countries a list of demands for Iran to participate.
He made it clear Iran wants to compete without compromising their beliefs, culture, or values. Among the requests are respect for the Iranian flag and anthem and better security at airports, hotels, and stadiums. Taj also wants to ensure that only existing national flags are allowed in the stadiums—something that could conflict with FIFA’s human rights policies.
Iran is set to be in Group G, playing against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles first. Their last group game will be against Egypt in Seattle during Pride weekend, a match already marked as a Pride Match despite Egypt’s earlier protests.
There’s still a lot to work out, but fans are hoping for a safe and exciting World Cup for everyone involved.