Canada Bars Iranian Soccer Officials From FIFA Congress
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- Canada revoked entry permission for Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj and two officials at Toronto Pearson Airport days before the FIFA Congress starting Thursday.
- Anand said the revocation was “unintentional” and referred to Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s office for clarification.
- Diab’s press secretary reaffirmed that IRGC‑linked officials are inadmissible to Canada, citing the country’s terrorist‑entity list.
- FIFA scheduled the Congress in Vancouver ahead of the U.S.–Canada–Mexico co‑hosted World Cup, where Iran is set to play its first match on June 15 in California.
Why it matters: Iran loses the chance to lobby at the FIFA Congress before its June 15 World Cup opener, while Canada preserves its IRGC ban but risks diplomatic backlash and a tarnished reputation as a World Cup host.
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