Members of Iran's national football team attend a ceremony ahead of their departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Tehran on May 13, 2026 Credit: ATTA KENARE / AFP

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described as “excellent” and “constructive” the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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