Also known as: IRGC
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — Iranian military organization listed as terrorist by Canada and the US, central to World Cup visa and participation disputes.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… The FFIRI had previously presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). …
Iran win four staff visa appeals but 11 bannedJoy Online
… In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched strikes against American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. …
Trump says deal to end Iran war is close after calling off strikesJoy Online
… Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had fired ballistic missiles at a US command centre in Jordan, state media reported. …
US and Iran exchange fresh strikes as fragile ceasefire collapses into renewed conflictThe Ghanaian Times
… In April, protesters gathered outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver called for Iran to be banned from the tournament, saying the team represents the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than the Iranian people. …
Iran threaten to stop World Cup games if…Joy Online
… Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it responded with strikes on US bases in the region. …
Trump says US will hit Iran ‘hard’ again on WednesdayThe Ghanaian Times
… The FFIRI had previously presented FIFA with a list of 10 conditions for their participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). …
Tickets for Iran fans revoked, says federationThe Ghanaian Times
… The FFIRI had previously presented FIFA with a list of 10 conditions for their participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). …
Tickets for Iran fans revoked, says federationJoy Online
… In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched strikes on 21 targets at US bases in the region, one in Bahrain and the other in Jordan, while Kuwait’s army said it was also intercepting an attack. …
US and Iran exchange fire after American patrol helicopter downed in HormuzJoy Online
… The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. …
US military helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz, two crew members rescuedJoy Online
… The news agency – which is affiliated with Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – also said Iran and its allies would “activate other fronts, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait” at the entrance of the Red Sea. …
Iran warns Israeli attacks in Lebanon threaten ceasefire with USFour members of Iran's World Cup delegation have won appeals against US visa rejections, but 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US. Iran's team is based in Mexico after initially being denied visas for backroom staff members.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Four members of Iran's World Cup delegation have won appeals against US visa rejections, but 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US. Iran's team is based in Mexico after initially being denied visas for backroom staff members.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump claimed an initial agreement to end the war with Iran is close after cancelling strikes, but Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said reports of an agreement were "speculative" and that "nothing has been finalised." The two countries have exchanged intermittent fire despite agreeing a ceasefire in April, with Trump repeating claims that a deal is near.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The US and Iran exchanged strikes for a second consecutive day, straining a ceasefire agreed in April. The US conducted "self-defence strikes" targeting Iranian military and radar sites; Iran responded with ballistic missiles at US assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, with Iran's foreign ministry saying the ceasefire is now "practically meaningless."
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's Sports Minister said the team will stop matches if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, following criticism of Iran's World Cup participation. The warning comes as Iran opens its Group G campaign against New Zealand on June 15, with subsequent matches against Belgium and Egypt.
11 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Donald Trump said the US will hit Iran "hard" on Wednesday after the two sides exchanged strikes overnight, and reiterated a call for Iran to "sign a deal." Iran's foreign ministry spokesman accused the US of damaging diplomatic efforts through contradictory messages and violations of a ceasefire.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's football federation says FIFA has revoked the country's allocation of fan tickets for the group stage of the World Cup, which begins tomorrow. The federation states it had already begun selling tickets under FIFA regulations allowing each federation to distribute 8 per cent of tickets for their matches to supporters, and accuses FIFA of interference by non-sporting and political considerations.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Iran's football federation says FIFA has revoked the country's allocation of fan tickets for the World Cup group stage, despite having already begun selling them to supporters. The FFIRI alleges the action violates FIFA regulations and principles of neutrality, and raises concerns about political interference in the tournament.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The US conducted strikes on Iranian air defence systems and radar sites after an American Apache helicopter was downed on Monday, and Iran retaliated by launching drones and missiles at US bases in Bahrain and Jordan. Two crew members of the helicopter were rescued by an American sea drone.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
A US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed early Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman's coast; its two crew members were safely rescued by an unmanned drone boat in what US Central Command described as a historic first for American forces. The cause of the crash remains unknown and is under investigation.
9 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's Foreign Minister said Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon could violate the country's ceasefire agreement with the US, which Tehran says covers all fronts. The warning came after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered strikes on southern Beirut in response to Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Satellite images analysed by BBC Verify show Iran has damaged 20 US military sites since the start of the war, causing millions of dollars of damage to air defence systems, refuelling aircraft and radars across eight countries in the Middle East. The attacks appear more extensive than publicly acknowledged, suggesting Tehran's counter-attacks have been more precise than American officials have previously acknowledged.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The US said it struck Iranian military radar sites in self-defence after a US drone was shot down, while Iran's IRGC said it targeted an air base used by US forces. Kuwait reported its air defence system was confronting hostile missile and drone attacks, and the escalation follows failed weekend negotiations over a deal between the two sides.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump met with top aides on Friday to decide on a framework for extending the ceasefire with Iran, but the meeting concluded without clarity on next steps. Trump reiterated conditions that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons, the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened for unrestricted shipping, and any mines there must be destroyed.
30 May 2026 · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump held a meeting in the White House Situation Room to make a "final determination" on extending a ceasefire agreement with Iran, setting conditions including Iran's agreement never to pursue nuclear weapons, reopening the Strait of Hormuz for unrestricted shipping, and allowing destruction of mines and enriched uranium. The deal framework, pending approval from Trump and Iran's leadership, would extend the ceasefire for 60 days and launch talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
29 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's national team has not yet received visas for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, starting 11 June, according to Iranian FA president Medhi Taj. The situation is complicated by the fact that the US is currently at war with Iran, though the countries are observing a month-long ceasefire.
14 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's football chief Mehdi Taj says their World Cup host "is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America" and has called for respect towards the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps if Iran's national team is to travel to the United States for the tournament. Taj's visa was cancelled by Canada while traveling to FIFA Congress in Vancouver due to his links to the IRGC, listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US.
6 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran was the only nation absent from FIFA's annual congress in Canada after officials were turned back at border control, amid reports of immigration issues and Canada's designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran will participate in the World Cup this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
30 April 2026 · Joy Online →