Industry Odisha Bureau, May 1: Even though Iran had reportedly announced earlier its non-participation in this year’s Football World Cup being co-hosted by bête noire USA apart from neighbouring Mexico and Canada, incumbent FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly confirmed yesterday (April 30) about Iran’s participation during his inaugural address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada.
FIFA has also reportedly posted a video on social media that vindicates its president’s comments of the confirmation.
However, Iran’s delegation was reportedly conspicuous by its absence from the significant 76th FIFA Congress held in Canada’s Vancouver yesterday.
BBC reported that the Iranian football federation officials led by their incumbent head Mehdi Taj has been to grace the 76th FIFA Congress in Canada’s Vancouver, but were conspicuous by their absence despite being one among the 211 FIFA member associations.
On the contrary, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the Iranian delegation led by Mehdi Taj returned from the Canadian border alleging mistreatment by the Canadian immigration authorities.
Nevertheless, FIFA President Gianni Infantino in his inaugural address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Canada’s Vancouver venue reportedly “highlighted football’s ability to promote peace and unity, claiming that football unites the world”.
Infantino in his significant inaugural address also reportedly underlined, “Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. And the reason for that is very simple, dear friends, because we have to unite.”
Notably, the upcoming FIFA World Cup has been scheduled in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. This global event will feature 48 teams for the first time, while the completions will be held in 16 stadiums, also claimed to be the maximum for the first time.
