FIFA expects Iran to play in 2026 World Cup in US

FIFA expects Iran’s national football team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States despite the ongoing political and military tensions between the two countries.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday that he discussed the matter with US President Donald Trump and received assurances that the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the country for the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19.

Iran is set to play its group-stage matches in the United States, beginning with a fixture against New Zealand in Inglewood, California on June 15. The team will then face Belgium on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iranian officials had earlier suggested that their participation might be uncertain due to the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel.

Infantino said the issue was raised during a meeting with Trump on Tuesday night. “We also talked about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he said, adding that the US president confirmed the team would be welcome to compete in the tournament.

Infantino also stressed the importance of global sporting events in bringing people together during periods of conflict.

However, Iranian supporters had previously faced restrictions after being included in an earlier version of a travel ban introduced during Trump’s administration.

Earlier this week, FIFA World Cup chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said the tournament was too significant to be postponed despite global tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran.

Schirgi said FIFA is closely monitoring the situation but remains confident that the competition will proceed as scheduled.

“We are taking it day by day and hope there will be a resolution,” he said. “The World Cup is too big, and we hope all qualified teams will be able to participate.”