As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, a growing coalition of Iranian activists, former athletes, and human rights advocates is urging FIFA to suspend Iran’s participation in the tournament, arguing that the country’s football authorities are closely tied to a regime accused of widespread human rights abuses.
The latest demonstration took place in Los Angeles, where protesters gathered outside City Hall carrying photographs of athletes, political prisoners, and victims of state repression. Participants accused the Iranian authorities of using international sporting events to improve their image while continuing a campaign of executions, arrests, and intimidation against dissidents inside the country.
Many demonstrators stressed that their objection is not directed at ordinary Iranian football fans or athletes, but at what they describe as the regime’s control over the national football structure. Some speakers argued that senior officials within Iranian football maintain close links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organization sanctioned by several governments and accused of involvement in domestic repression and regional military activities.
Former Iranian players and sports figures joined the protest, calling on FIFA to uphold its own principles regarding human rights and athlete protection. They argued that Iranian athletes who have voiced support for anti-government protests have faced imprisonment, intimidation, or exclusion from competition, while others have lost their lives during crackdowns on public demonstrations.
The protesters also pointed to FIFA’s previous decisions to exclude countries from international competition under extraordinary circumstances, arguing that similar standards should be applied when severe human rights violations are involved. They contend that allowing Iran to compete without scrutiny sends the wrong message to victims of political persecution.
The controversy comes amid wider tensions surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup. Recent disputes have included visa restrictions affecting Iranian officials and supporters, questions over ticket allocations, and debates about how geopolitical conflicts should be handled during the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the governing body’s commitment to inclusivity and maintained that football should remain a platform for bringing nations together despite political tensions. FIFA has not indicated that it is considering disciplinary action against Iran’s national team.
With the tournament now underway, the debate over Iran’s place in international football is likely to intensify. For activists, the issue extends far beyond sport. They argue that global sporting events should not provide legitimacy to governments accused of systematic repression, while supporters of Iran’s participation insist that athletes and fans should not be punished for political disputes.