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Politics and human rights will take centre stage when leading figures of the football world meet for FIFA\u2019s 76th Congress in Canada, weeks before the North American nation cohosts the World Cup with the United States and Mexico.<\/p>\n
The Iran war, logistical issues surrounding the World Cup and the unresolved question of Russia\u2019s international ban are set to feature in discussions among roughly 1,600 delegates from more than 200 member associations.<\/p>\n
The meeting will be overshadowed by the US-Israeli war on Iran and its team\u2019s participation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n
The congress, which is set to bring together representatives of all 211 FIFA member associations, will be held without the Iranian delegation after members of its football federation departed from Canada earlier this week, citing mistreatment by immigration officials.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what we know about the FIFA Congress so far:<\/p>\n
The annual FIFA Congress brings together representatives of all 211 member associations to make key decisions regarding world football governance, finances and regulations.<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s congress will focus on operational and financial issues related to the 48-team World Cup \u2013 the largest ever tournament.<\/p>\n
Iranian football officials turned back \u2060\u2060upon arrival at Toronto\u2019s Pearson airport despite holding valid visas, citing what was described as the \u201cunacceptable behaviour of immigration officials\u201d.<\/p>\n
The delegation was en route to Vancouver and had travelled to Toronto \u2060\u2060with official visas when they returned to Turkiye on the first available flight \u201cdue to the unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian nation\u2019s armed forces,\u201d the Iranian football federation said in a statement.<\/p>\n
In 2024, Canada listed Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, and statements from the Canadian government indicated that federation President Mehdi Taj was denied entry due to his alleged ties with the IRGC.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile 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,\u201d the Canadian government said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Human rights group Amnesty International has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to use the congress as an opportunity to declare how human rights will be safeguarded at the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Amnesty urged Infantino to detail \u201chow he will ensure that the world\u2019s biggest sporting tournament does not become a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith just six weeks until the 2026 World Cup kicks off, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has yet to publicly outline how fans, journalists and local communities will be safe from arbitrary detention, mass deportations and crackdowns on free expression. This FIFA Congress should be the moment he does so, and the global football community must receive more than empty platitudes,\u201d Steve Cockburn, head of economic and social justice at Amnesty International, said.<\/p>\n
Last week, Amnesty and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with more than 120 civil society groups, issued a \u201ctravel advisory\u201d for foreigners attending the World Cup in the US due to the \u201cdeteriorating human rights situation in the US and the absence of meaningful action and concrete guarantees from FIFA, host cities, or the US government\u201d.<\/p>\n
Fans are using the congress in Vancouver to bring attention to the #SaveTheCaps campaign against the potential relocation of the Major League Soccer team Vancouver Whitecaps to Las Vegas after the team was put up for sale in 2024.<\/p>\n
Vancouver Southsiders, the self-proclaimed \u201clargest support group\u201d of the Whitecaps, has called for an early morning public demonstration ahead of Thursday\u2019s congress to bring attention to the cause since \u201cthe world\u2019s media will be there\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Whitecaps\u2019 home stadium, BC Place, will host seven World Cup matches.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Monday, the club said it had \u201cserious conversations with more than 100 parties, and to date, no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club has faced well-documented structural challenges around stadium economics, venue access, and revenue limitations that have made it difficult to attract buyers committed to keeping the team in Vancouver.\u201d<\/p>\n
A franchise fee that cost tens of millions of dollars to enter MLS 15 years ago is now worth hundreds of millions. In May 2023, a $500m expansion fee was paid to secure the league\u2019s 30th team in San Diego.<\/p>\n
A team that features German great Thomas Muller reached the MLS Cup final last year, losing against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 3-1.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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