The clock is ticking toward the 2026 World Cup, and Iranian soccer officials are gearing up for a critical meeting with FIFA that could determine their place in the tournament. With just weeks to go before the opening matches, the stakes have never been higher.

Mehdi Taj, Iran's top soccer official, was recently denied entry to Canada for FIFA's annual congress in Vancouver. Undeterred, he told Iranian media on Friday, "Our position is that we will soon have a meeting with FIFA. There are many issues to discuss."

Iran's participation has been in question since late February, when military actions by the U.S. and Israel cast uncertainty over the team's travel plans. But FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivered a firm message during his keynote speech at the congress: "Of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America."

Adding to the drama, U.S. President Donald Trump—who had previously issued warnings about the safety of the Iranian national team—softened his stance. "If Gianni said it, I'm OK," Trump said from the White House on Thursday, signaling a green light for the team's arrival.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström has set a May 20 deadline for the Iranian delegation to meet at the organization's headquarters in Zurich. That date is just three weeks before Team Melli is expected to set up camp in Tucson, Arizona, for the tournament.

Iran's group stage schedule is already locked in: they'll face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, take on Belgium in the same city on June 21, and wrap up against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. For fans eagerly awaiting these matchups, the upcoming FIFA meeting will be a pivotal moment to watch.