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) 

On May 12th, 2026, Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada sent the following response to Mona Ghassemi, President of ICC: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/iraniancanadiancongress/pages/4726/attachments/original/1779210397/Message_from_the_Prime_Minister_of_Canada.pdf?1779210397 Mona Ghassemi, sent the letter below to the Prime Minister on 3rd of March, 2026: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/iraniancanadiancongress/pages/4726/attachments/original/1779210403/Iranian_Canadian_Congress_letter_to_Prime_Minister-Signed.pdf?1779210403