Iran soccer officials denied entry to Canada for FIFA Congress before World Cup
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada for FIFA's annual meeting due to his past role in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada designates as a terrorist organization. The FIFA Congress is being held in Vancouver this week, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Canada is co-hosting with the United States and Mexico.
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, along with secretary general Hedayat Mombeini and deputy Hamed Momeni, were denied entry to Canada for FIFA's annual meeting. They were sent back on the next available flight after landing in Toronto due to "inappropriate behavior of immigration officials". Canada designates the IRGC, where Taj previously served as a commander, as a terrorist organization. The FIFA Congress is set for Thursday, April 30, in Vancouver, one of the 16 cities hosting World Cup matches this summer. The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, with Canada, the United States, and Mexico as host countries. Iran's participation in the World Cup has been questioned due to its group stage matches being held in the United States.
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