Senior officials of Iran’s football federation have exited Canada ahead of the FIFA Congress, citing alleged mistreatment during immigration checks at Toronto International Airport.
According to Iranian media reports on Wednesday, the federation’s president and deputy secretary general “returned to Turkey on the first flight due to the inappropriate behaviour of the immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian Armed Forces”.
The reports did not provide further details but noted that the officials had arrived in Canada with “official visas” before deciding to leave.
Canada had in 2024 designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation, effectively barring its members from entering the country.
Canada is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, while this year’s FIFA Congress is scheduled to take place in Vancouver.
Concerns have also emerged regarding Iran’s participation in the tournament due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which escalated following the conflict that began on February 28.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that Iranian players would be allowed to take part in the World Cup, but warned that individuals with links to the Revolutionary Guard could be denied entry.
Meanwhile, Iran’s football federation had previously indicated it was in discussions with FIFA about moving its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has maintained that Iran will participate in the tournament and compete at the venues assigned “where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”.