Canada turned back an Iranian football delegation at Toronto's main airport on Tuesday as it headed to Vancouver for a FIFA Congress ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the federation said. [1]
The delegation said it included federation president Mehdi Taj, secretary general Hedayat Mombeni and deputy secretary general Hamed Momeni. It said the group had official visas and returned to Turkey on the first available flight after what it called unacceptable behavior by Canadian immigration officials. [1]
Canada said IRGC officials are inadmissible to the country and have no place there. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Revolutionary Guard members were not welcome in Canada. A Canadian government statement said, "While we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country." [1]
The FIFA Congress was due to gather representatives of all 211 member associations in Vancouver ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Canada will co-host with the United States and Mexico. [1]
The delegation was scheduled to attend the congress on Thursday, but it was turned back before the event. [1]