FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom met Iran FA president Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The discussions came as Iran prepared for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

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The Iranian national team is scheduled to play all three Group G matches in the United States, but concerns remain about visas for players and officials, as visas have not yet been issued ahead of the competition.

A major hurdle remains the lack of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Iran, alongside strict U.S. visa rules affecting individuals linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Washington labels a terrorist organisation.

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“We’ve had an excellent meeting, a constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” Grafstrom told reporters after the talks.

He added that FIFA and the Iranian federation had reviewed operational matters similar to those discussed with other member associations ahead of the tournament.

“We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them to the World Cup,” he said.

Taj also described the meeting as productive, saying: “We addressed our concerns and reiterated our mutual commitment to ensuring Team Melli’s seamless participation in the tournament.”

Team Melli will begin their Group G campaign against the New Zealand national football team in Los Angeles on June 15 before taking on Belgium and Egypt in their remaining group stage matches.