Latest News International News North & East Environment Business Bites Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements Latest News International News North & East Environment Business Bites Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements International News Business Bites Food Awards Entertainment World Champs Career & Education Environment Advertorial Supplements Classifieds Design Week Iraq’s national team coach Australian Graham Arnold speaks during a press conference regarding the Iraqi national teams preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament, at the headquarters of the Iraqi Football Association, in Baghdad on May 16, 2026.
The Iraqi football team, known as the “Lions of Mesopotamia”,whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the Middle East, sealed their first appearance at the World Cup in 40 years, and will play in Group I against France, Senegal and Norway.
(Photo by Murtaja LATEEF / AFP) International News, Latest News May 17, 2026 Iran have ‘constructive’ meeting with FIFA over World Cup preparations PARIS, France (AFP)—FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described as “excellent” and “constructive” the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Iranians are scheduled to be based and play all three of their group matches in the US in spite of the war currently being waged in the Middle East.
“We’ve had an excellent meeting, a constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” said Grafstrom.
“I think we’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them to the World Cup.
“We’ve had the opportunity to discuss some of the operational matters, like we do with every member association.
“But I’m very happy that we were able to have this positive exchange, and both the Iran FA and FIFA are very happy with the meeting and looking forward to welcoming Team Melli in the USA, Canada and Mexico.” The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, had said on Thursday that no visas had yet been issued for Iran’s team.
But he also described Saturday’s meeting as “positive and constructive” without going into details.
“We discussed our concerns and expressed our joint commitment to ensure the smooth participation of Team Melli,” he said.
– Coach defends selection – The meeting, which was held at the headquarters of the Turkish Football Federation, comes as the Iranian team prepares to leave on Monday morning for a training camp in Turkey before heading to the United States.
Iran hope to play two friendlies in Antalya.
They have already confirmed one match, against The Gambia, on May 29, said Sam Mehdizadeh, an Iranian-Canadian who heads a company that sets up friendlies for the team.
They are taking a squad of 30 players, which will have to be trimmed to the World Cup maximum of 26.
While Porto striker Mehdi Taremi is on the list, this is not the case for the other star striker, Sardar Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals for the national team and previously played for Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma.
The forward, who had previously voiced support for anti-regime protesters, was recently accused of “treason” by Iranian state media after a photo was published in March showing him alongside the Emir of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where he plays and resides.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei, however, has defended his decision.
“I swear before God that nothing other than technical criteria played a role in the selection of the players, and I chose the 30 players solely on that basis,” he said.
Iran have qualified for their fourth consecutive finals and, when the squad reaches the US, will set up their base camp in Tucson, Arizona.
They are due to kick off their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, before facing Belgium in the same city and then Egypt in Seattle, in Group G.
Tags: 2026 World Cup FIFA Iran United States {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} 0 Comments · Make a comment ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER International News, Latest News Fernandes equals assist record as Man United edge Forest thriller May 17, 2026 MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP)—Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League record of 20 assists in a season as Manchester United secured third place.
{“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} International News, Latest News WHO declares international emergency as Ebola outbreak kills more than 80 in DR Congo May 17, 2026 KINSHASA, DR Congo (AFP)—The World Health Organization declared an international health emergency on Sunday over an outbreak of an Ebola strain in the.
{“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, Sports Shenese Walker retains ACC sprint double May 16, 2026 Shenese Walker of Florida State University (FSU) successfully defended her women’s sprint double as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Outdoors Champ.
{“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, Sports Oakley runs sub 49.00 seconds, Matthews sub 11.00 in NCAAs May 16, 2026 Dejanea Oakley of the University of Georgia became the second Jamaican woman to go sub-49.00 seconds in the 400m after she ran a sublime personal best.
{“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} International News, Latest News Israel strikes south Lebanon day after ceasefire extension May 16, 2026 BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP)—Israel launched a massive series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, despite an extension of the truce between the tw.
{“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, News Westmoreland health authorities heighten hantavirus surveillance May 16, 2026 MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica—Health authorities in Westmoreland are maintaining heightened surveillance amid regional concerns about hantavirus, even though J.
{“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, News ATL Automotive wins legal fight over alleged faulty vehicle repair May 16, 2026 The Supreme Court in Kingston has ruled in favour of ATL Automotive in a lawsuit brought by a customer who alleged that the company failed to replace .
{“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} HOUSE RULES We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day.
Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted.
We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material.
Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
Please don’t use the comments to advertise.
However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email:community@jamaicaobserver.com.
Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Recent Posts Archives Please enable JavaScript to view the poll powered by Disqus.
Recent Posts Archives Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer.
Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what’s happening in the Caribbean Featured Tags Entertainment Entertainment Jamaica Observer,© All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy Editorial Code of Conduct Privacy Manager
FIFA, Iran, 2026 World Cup, Mattias Grafstrom, Mehdi Taj, Team Melli, visas