The Iranian national team threatens not to set foot on the 2026 World Cup pitch if FIFA and the organizers do not guarantee express visas for its delegation, including members of the Revolutionary Guard. The precedent of a leader being banned in Canada has set off alarm bells in Tehran, which also demands absolute respect for its national symbols during the tournament.
The digital visa system and real-time background checks 🛂
FIFA uses biometric verification platforms and databases shared with security agencies to streamline visa issuance for major events. However, the entry filter for countries like Canada or the United States includes lists of individuals linked to military bodies designated as threats. Integrating exemptions for the Revolutionary Guard would require a specific diplomatic protocol that organizers have not confirmed.
Don't forget the dishwasher in the locker room 🍽️
Everything points to the Iranian delegation arriving at the World Cup with a list of demands longer than the catering queue. If it's already complicated for a defender not to take down 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.