The ICC board of directors is pleased to announce that the next ICC annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on August 2 from 1 PM ET (10 AM PT). The meeting will be held on a videoconferencing platform.    An online election will also be held for the 2 available seats in the ICC board of directors. We encourage all interested members to consult with Section 2 of Article 5 of the ICC by-laws for nomination eligibility, and if eligible, declare their nomination by sending an email to [email protected]. The deadline for sending nomination emails is July 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET. The email must include and attach the following:   A confirmation by the nominee that he or she has nominated himself or herself, or that he or she has been nominated by others and has accepted such nomination, for election to the ICC board of directors;   A confirmation by the nominee that he/she meets the eligibility criteria, as set out in Section 2 of Article 5 of the ICC by-laws;   A government-issued ID; and   A synopsis of the nominee’s background/biographical sketch and the reasons they wish to serve as a director on the ICC board of directors (maximum 300 words in English. Farsi is optional. This information is to be provided in MS Word or pdf file format). A passport size photo of the nominee in digital format is also optional. Information and the photograph provided by the nominees will be posted on the ICC website.   Please note that only ICC members who have joined/renewed their membership by July 24, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET will be entitled to attend the upcoming AGM and vote in the election. For any membership questions, you may contact [email protected].   In the upcoming election, members will choose two board members. The election will be held online, starting and ending prior to the AGM. Members will receive a link through email to participate in the election after July 25th. Election results will be announced at the AGM.   There are proposed changes to ICC bylaws by the board of directors which will be on the ballot for the AGM. The details will be announced shortly. The ICC board of directors has selected an election committee, consisting of three ICC members, to oversee the election process. These individuals are Mr. Ahmad Ehsandar, Mr. Habib Ghaffari, and Mr. Moslem Noori.  Further details such as instructions for attending the AGM, the link for online voting, and the AGM videoconferencing will be shared with the members in future communications. 

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) expresses its deep concern regarding the treatment of Iran’s national football team, players, officials, and supporters during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Sport has long served as a bridge between peoples, cultures, and nations. International sporting events should be spaces where athletes are judged by their performance on the field; not by political tensions, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or geopolitical disputes. Unfortunately, reports emerging from the tournament suggest that Iran’s national team has faced extraordinary logistical, administrative, and political obstacles that have not been applied equally to other participating nations. According to multiple media reports, Iranian players and officials have faced visa restrictions, travel disruptions, the denial of entry to members of their delegation, forced cross-border travel arrangements, and limited access to the same accommodations and recovery opportunities afforded to other teams. Iranian players and coaching staff have publicly stated that these conditions have negatively affected their preparation, well-being, and ability to compete on equal terms. ICC is equally troubled by reports of hostility directed toward the Iranian national anthem, the Iranian flag, and Iranian supporters. While individuals have every right to peacefully express political opinions, collective hostility toward athletes and fans based solely on their nationality undermines the principles of fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect that international sport is meant to uphold. The Iranian national team does not represent a monolithic political viewpoint. It consists of athletes who have dedicated their lives to representing their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, players should not become targets of discrimination, harassment, or unequal treatment. We therefore call upon FIFA, tournament organizers, and host authorities in Canada, the United States, and Mexico to: 1. Ensure that all participating teams are treated fairly and consistently.2. Guarantee equal access to travel, accommodations, training facilities, and recovery opportunities.3. Protect players, officials, and supporters from discrimination and harassment.4. Uphold FIFA’s commitment to respect, inclusion, and the non-politicization of sport.5. Ensure that all fans can safely and peacefully support their teams without intimidation. The Iranian Canadian Congress firmly believes that disagreements between governments should never result in the unequal treatment of athletes or ordinary people. The World Cup should be a celebration of human excellence, international friendship, and the unifying power of sport. At a time when divisions around the world are deepening, we urge all stakeholders to reaffirm the principles of dignity, equality, and respect for all participants. Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC)