Infantino says Trump assured him Iran are welcome at World Cup
FIFA has confirmed that Iran’s national football team is expected to participate in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two nations.
The tournament, which is set to commence in approximately three months, will see Iran play New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on 15 June, followed by a match against Belgium on 21 June.
Their group stage concludes with a fixture against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. The United States is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, which runs from 11 June to 19 July.
Concerns had recently been raised by Iranian officials, who suggested that the country’s involvement in the competition was uncertain due to the prevailing conflict.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday night to discuss the tournament’s preparations.
Infantino stated that he received assurances regarding Iran’s entry. “We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said.
He added: “During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”
Infantino has a close relationship with Trump, who was given FIFA’s inaugural peace prize — an award that many believe the soccer governing body created with Trump in mind.
Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the US in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever,” Infantino said, adding that he thanks Trump “for his support.”
Earlier this week, FIFA’s World Cup chief operating officer said the tournament is “too big” to be postponed because of global turmoil caused by the US and Israeli war against Iran.
The CEO, Heimo Schirgi, said FIFA continues to closely monitor the Iran war.
“We basically take it day by day and at some stage we will have a resolution,” Schirgi said. “And the World Cup will go on obviously, right? The World Cup is too big and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified.”
It comes days after Iran’s football team cast doubt on the national team’s participation in the tournament.
