For weeks now, the rumor has presented Italy as a potential draftee for the 2026 World Cup. The Azzurri, eclipsed by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the qualifying play-offs for the Europe zone, nonetheless remain first on the list in the event of defection if we consider the FIFA ranking alone. And some in Italy do not fail to lobby the head of the international federation Gianni Infantino.
The latter, however, has been categorical until now, insisting again last week during a FIFA congress organized in Vancouver that “ Iran will obviously participate in the 2026 World Cup “. And to specify: “ And of course, Iran will play in the United States! » Yes, but to do this, the Iranians would still need to have their visa.
However at this stage, four weeks before the curtain rises for the tournament, the selection of the Asian confederation has still not received its precious sesames. “ We will have a decisive meeting with FIFA tomorrow or the day after. She must provide us with guarantees, because the visa problem is still not resolved
», breathes the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, to IRNA, the press agency of the Islamic Republic.
“No visa has yet been issued”
“ We have not received any reports from the other party regarding who has been granted visas. No visa has yet been issued », he insists again while the selection must go to Ankara, in Türkiye, on Monday to finalize its preparation and take part in two friendly matches. On Wednesday, an encouragement ceremony was even organized in the presence of the players in Enghelab Square in Tehran.
During the World Cup, Iran is supposed to take up residence in Tucson, Arizona. The group stage provides Team Melli with duels with New Zealand (June 16), Belgium (June 21) and Egypt (June 27). The first two matches in Inglewood, California, the third in Seattle, Washington.
