Football's power brokers gather in Vancouver on Thursday as FIFA convenes its 76th Congress, a high-stakes meeting less than two months before the largest World Cup ever opens across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Iran conflict, World Cup logistical challenges, and the unresolved issue of Russia's international ban are expected to dominate discussions among roughly 1,600 delegates from more than 200 member associations.
Iran's Absence Overshadows Meeting
Iran's absence is already threatening to overshadow the proceedings. Officials from the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) abruptly left Canada after landing in Toronto earlier this week, abandoning their onward trip to Vancouver. Iranian media reported that FFIRI president Mehdi Taj — a former member of Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — and two colleagues flew home after being 'insulted' by Canadian immigration officers.
Canada, which designated the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2024, stated on Wednesday that individuals linked to the force were 'inadmissible.' '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.
This incident adds fresh uncertainty to Iran's World Cup status, already clouded since the Middle East war erupted on February 28 with a wave of attacks by the United States and Israel. Iranian football officials said last month they had suggested moving their three World Cup group games from the US to co-hosts Mexico — a plan swiftly rejected by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino told AFP that Iran will play at the World Cup 'where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted last week that Iran's footballers would be welcome to compete, but warned that the United States may bar entry to Iranian delegation members with ties to the IRGC.
Infantino Under Scrutiny
The FIFA president heads into Thursday's meeting facing scrutiny over criticism of skyrocketing World Cup ticket prices and his close friendship with US President Donald Trump. FIFA on Tuesday announced it had boosted World Cup financial distributions to nearly $900 million, up from the initial $727 million announced in December. This move came after several World Cup-qualified teams reportedly warned they risked losing money from competing in the sprawling tournament, citing high travel costs, taxes, and operational expenses.
Rights groups have called for Infantino to use his upcoming address to assure that World Cup visitors face no risk from the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. '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, on Wednesday. 'This FIFA Congress should be the moment he does so, and the global football community must receive more than empty platitudes.'
Calls to Abolish FIFA Peace Prize
Infantino is also facing calls to abolish the FIFA Peace Prize, which he awarded to Trump during last December's World Cup draw in Washington. 'We want to see (the prize) abolished,' Norwegian football association president Lise Klaveness told reporters this week. 'We don't think it's part of FIFA's mandate to give such a prize.'
Russia Ban on Agenda
Thursday's Congress could also address Russia's ongoing ban from international football, in force since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Infantino spoke in favor of lifting the ban earlier this year. 'We have to (look at readmitting Russia). Definitely,' Infantino told Britain's Sky News. 'This ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.'
