The Iranian national team threatens not to set foot on the pitch of the 2026 World Cup if FIFA and the organizers do not guarantee expedited visas for its delegation, including members of the Revolutionary Guard. The precedent of a leader being vetoed in Canada has raised alarms in Tehran, which also demands absolute respect for its national symbols during the tournament.
The digital visa system and real-time background check 🛂
FIFA uses biometric verification platforms and databases shared with security agencies to streamline visa issuance for major events. However, entry filters to countries like Canada or the United States include lists of individuals linked to military bodies designated as threats. Integrating exemptions for the Revolutionary Guard would require a specific diplomatic protocol that the organizers have not confirmed.
Don't forget the dishwasher in the locker room 🍽️
Everything suggests that the Iranian delegation will arrive at the World Cup with a list of demands longer than the catering queue. If it's already complicated that a defender doesn't take out a forward, imagine the logistics of a country requesting VIP visas for its generals. In the end, all that's missing is asking for the anthem to be sung by a robot to avoid controversy.