The Iranian Football Federation announced that Tehran will compete in the summer’s Global Soccer Cup, but it has issued a list of conditions to FIFA and the event hosts before its teams can travel. The federation’s president, Mehdi Taj, said the country would participate “without compromising our beliefs, culture and convictions,” while insisting that the organizers address its concerns.

The demands follow Taj’s denied entry to Canada after the FIFA Congress last month. In a statement released Saturday, the federation outlined ten conditions it has presented to FIFA for participation in the tournament, set to open on 11 June in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Key requests include guarantees that all Iranian players, coaches and officials will receive visas, even those who have completed military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is designated a terrorist organization in the United States and Canada, a factor that fueled Taj’s travel ban. Iran also wants assurances that its flag and national anthem will be respected and that additional security will be provided at airports, hotels and stadiums.

While FIFA can influence logistical arrangements and the treatment of delegations during the event, visa and border‑control matters fall under U.S. jurisdiction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Iranian footballers are welcome, but warned that those linked to the IRGC could face restrictions.

The federation has also requested that journalists limit questions to strictly technical football matters, a move that reflects the blurred line between sport and politics in Iran. Similar tensions surfaced during the women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where several Iranian players sought asylum.

Co‑coach Amir Ghalenoei has acknowledged that politically charged atmospheres may surround some matches involving Iran. Despite the diplomatic tightrope, the federation has not signaled an intention to withdraw from the tournament.

The situation underscores the delicate balance FIFA must strike: facilitating the participation of all qualified teams while navigating the geopolitical realities between Tehran and Washington.