FIFA President Confirms Iran Will Play at the 2026 World Cup Despite War With the United States
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has moved to end the uncertainty surrounding Iran's participation at the 2026 World Cup, declaring that the Iranian national team will take part in the tournament "for sure" — despite the ongoing war between Iran and the United States, one of the three host nations.
Infantino's Definitive Statement
Speaking at CNBC's Invest in America Forum on Wednesday, Infantino was unambiguous. "The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes," he said. "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play."
The FIFA president had met with the Iranian squad in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks earlier — a visit he described in positive terms. "I went to see them. They are actually quite a good team as well," Infantino added. "And they really want to play and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics now."
The Backdrop: A Tournament Overshadowed by Conflict
Iran's participation has been in serious doubt since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on the country, creating an extraordinary diplomatic and logistical situation for a tournament already under the global spotlight. Conflicting statements from Iranian government and football officials have done little to clarify matters, and US President Donald Trump publicly discouraged the Iranian team from attending, citing safety concerns.
Infantino acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining a strict separation between sport and politics in such circumstances, but framed FIFA's role in deliberately broader terms. "OK, we don't live on the moon, we live on planet Earth," he said. "But if there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and in keeping them intact and together, well — we are doing that job."
Where Iran Are Scheduled to Play
Under the current fixture schedule, Iran are set to play two of their group stage matches in Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle — both cities on American soil. The logistical and security implications of an Iranian team competing inside the United States during an active military conflict between the two nations are without precedent in World Cup history.
FIFA has not yet provided detailed information on the security arrangements that would be in place, but Infantino's insistence on Iran's participation suggests the organisation is committed to finding a workable solution regardless of the political environment.
What Happens Next
With the tournament opening on June 11 in Mexico City, the coming weeks will be critical. Iran's presence or absence will shape not just Group G — where they are scheduled to face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt — but the broader narrative of a World Cup already unlike any that has come before it.
For now, FIFA's position is clear: Iran qualified on the pitch, the players want to compete, and the organisation intends to ensure they get that opportunity. Whether the situation on the ground between now and June allows that to happen remains, for the moment, an open question.
