Mehdi Taj, Iran’s football chief, made a blunt remark before the 2026 World Cup: the country’s host is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America. He warned that any insult to Iranian military institutions could force the team to withdraw, citing past tensions in Canada. The tournament will run from 11 June to 19 July across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Iran is slated to play two matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June, then face Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said no one linked to the IRGC would be admitted, heightening concerns about safety and diplomatic tensions.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that Iran will play in the United States as scheduled, despite Tehran’s March request to shift fixtures to Mexico. Taj demanded that the U.S. guarantee respect for Iranian institutions; failure could echo the Canada incident where the team risked returning to its home country.

The situation underscores how geopolitical frictions can spill into sport. With the World Cup drawing global attention, any disruption could damage FIFA’s reputation and strain U.S.–Iran relations. Ensuring the matches proceed peacefully will be a litmus test for the organizers’ ability to separate politics from football.