76th FIFA Congress row: Iran officials denied entry to Canada over IRGC terrorist label

Vancouver: International football’s governing body convened for the 76th FIFA Congress on Thursday, as approximately 1,600 delegates gathered in Vancouver under the shadow of geopolitical conflict and logistical tension just two months prior to the 2026 World Cup.

The high-stakes assembly of more than 200 member associations faces a packed agenda, including the ongoing war in Iran, unresolved sanctions against Russia, and mounting concerns regarding the expanded tournament’s operations across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Diplomatic Friction Over Iran

The absence of Iranian football officials has cast a pall over the proceedings. The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) delegation reportedly departed Canada prematurely after arriving in Toronto earlier this week. Iranian media stated that FFIRI President Mehdi Taj—a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—and two associates returned to Tehran after being "insulted" by Canadian border authorities.

The Canadian government, which formally labelled the IRGC a terrorist entity in 2024, defended its stance on Wednesday.

"While we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country," Canada’s immigration agency said in a statement.

The incident complicates Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup, which has been under scrutiny since the outbreak of hostilities involving the United States and Israel on Feb. 28. FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently rejected an Iranian proposal to relocate the team’s group-stage matches from U.S. soil to Mexico.

Infantino told AFP that Iran will play at the World Cup "where they are supposed to be, according to the draw."

While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed last week that Iranian athletes would be permitted to compete, he echoed Canada's warning that officials with IRGC affiliations could be denied entry to the United States.

Infantino Faces Internal and External Pressure

President Infantino enters the Congress under significant fire from multiple fronts. Critics have targeted the FIFA leader for a sharp rise in ticket costs and his public ties to U.S. President Donald Trump.

To address financial concerns from participating nations, FIFA announced on Tuesday an increase in World Cup distributions to nearly $900 million, up from the $727 million projected in December. The adjustment follows reports that several teams feared financial losses due to the exorbitant costs of travel and taxation in North America.

Furthermore, human rights organisations are demanding that Infantino address the potential impact of the Trump administration’s immigration policies on tournament attendees.

"FIFA President Gianni Infantino has yet to publicly outline how fans, journalists and local communities will be safe from arbitrary detention, mass deportations and crackdowns on free expression," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice. "This FIFA Congress should be the moment he does so, and the global football community must receive more than empty platitudes."

The Russia Question and Award Controversies

The Congress is also expected to debate the possible reinstatement of Russia to international play. Russia has been barred since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though Infantino has recently signalled a desire to end the exile.

"We have to (look at readmitting Russia). Definitely," Infantino told Sky News. "This ban has not achieved anything; it has just created more frustration and hatred."

Additionally, some member associations are pushing for the dissolution of the FIFA Peace Prize, which Infantino controversially bestowed upon President Trump during the tournament draw in Washington last December.

"We want to see (the prize) abolished," said Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian football association. "We don't think it's part of FIFA's mandate to give such a prize."

With inputs from AFP