Current sectionMiddle East NewsIran NewsFIFA's chief is set to meet officials from Iran's Football Federation in Istanbul, where he is expected to offer 'reassurance' over the Islamic Republic's participation in the 2026 World Cup, although some of its players are allegedly IRGC membersShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeReuters01:43 PM • May 16 2026 IDTFIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström will meet officials from the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Istanbul on Saturday to offer "reassurance" over Iran's participation in the World Cup, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:Iran - U.S.IranFIFAIran Revolutionary Guards2026 Israel-Iran WarCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Israel-Iran Live UpdatesTrump-IranIsrael ElectionsJerusalem DayGaza FlotillaEurovisionIsrael-NYTHaQuizHaaretz PodcastSource: FIFA to Meet Iranian Soccer Officials to Discuss World Cup on SaturdayIDF Soldier Filmed Pointing Weapon at Chest of Palestinian Who Posed No ThreatTop Hamas Military Chief Killed in IDF Gaza Strikes, Hamas Official and IDF SayU.S. Suspends Sanctions Against UN Investigator Francesca AlbaneseLebanon: U.S.-backed Security Track With Israel Established During Friday TalksRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Hasidic Jews Behind Florida's Giant Golden Trump StatueStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityIt Wasn't Just Revenge That Israel Was After in GazaIsraeli Artists Slam Venice Biennale Participation: 'Again, Israel as a Victim'Trump Collides With Reality in Latest Iran StandoffIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter Attacked