Football is meant to unite people around the world and from all backgrounds, but this year FIFA and Trump have decided to punish athletes for the politics of their governments.

Iran’s national team arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after months of war, airstrikes, sanctions, instability, and the closure of their country’s airspace and their domestic leagues. Despite everything, they earned their place on the world’s biggest stage.

Instead of receiving equal treatment, they have faced repeated obstacles that no team should have to endure.

Iran has been forced to base itself in Tijuana, repeatedly travelling between U.S. and Mexico despite the team requesting all their plays to be rescheduled in Mexico months earlier.

Members of the delegation including the logistics team and their media personnel, president and vice president have been denied entry and separated from the team.

Captain Mehdi Taremi has reportedly been stopped by U.S. authorities six separate times while crossing the border both entering and exiting. 

Following Iran’s match against Egypt, which ended around midnight, the team had to immediately leave. They did not arrive back in Tijuana until approximately 4:00 a.m. after lengthy travel and additional hour and half delay at airport security in which they detained Taremi and another player.

Players and staff have said these repeated delays have disrupted recovery, preparation, sleep, and performance during the tournament. (Reuters⁠)

No World Cup team should have to compete under these conditions.

FIFA has a duty to guarantee that every qualified nation can participate under fair, equal, and humane circumstances. When political decisions by a host nation interfere with that principle, FIFA has a responsibility to intervene—not remain silent.

We call on FIFA to:

Launch an independent investigation into the treatment of Iran’s national team throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Publicly explain why Iran has been subjected to travel, visa, and border procedures that have placed it at a competitive disadvantage.
Hold the United States accountable for any actions that unnecessarily interfered with the team’s ability to compete.

Establish binding protections to ensure that no national team is subjected to unequal logistical treatment because of its nationality or geopolitical circumstances.

If Iran qualifies for the knockout stage, FIFA must ensure that the team is allowed to prepare and compete under equal conditions in Vancouver or any future host city. This includes guaranteeing efficient border processing, uninterrupted travel, equal logistical support, and freedom from repeated delays or unnecessary security checks that place the team at a competitive disadvantage. FIFA must work with the host governments to ensure these guarantees are implemented immediately before Iran’s next match.  

Reaffirm that every nation which qualifies for the FIFA World Cup has the right to compete on equal terms.

This petition is not about politics.

It is about fairness.

It is about protecting athletes.

And it is about preserving the integrity of the World Cup.

No team should have to fight a war at home, navigate political barriers abroad, and then fight for equality before they can even step onto the pitch.

If FIFA truly believes football is for everyone, it must prove it.