FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup, despite United States President Donald Trump's concerning stance on the matter.
"Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026," Infantino declared as he opened his address at FIFA's Congress in Vancouver on Thursday. "And of course, Iran will play the United States of America."
Speculation has been mounting over whether Iran would feature in the quadrennial tournament amid heightened tensions with the United States, following airstrikes in February that killed the country's leader and intensified conflict across the Middle East.
Infantino confirmed Iran's participation on Thursday during FIFA's Congress in Vancouver -Credit:Photo by Rich Lam - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
In March, Trump posted on Truth Social: "The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
Iran secured qualification for this summer's World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada , and Mexico , and was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium , Egypt , and New Zealand , as per The Mirror US .
All three of Iran's group stage games are scheduled to be played on American soil: June 15 vs. New Zealand in Los Angeles, June 21 vs. Belgium in Los Angeles, and June 26 vs. Egypt in Seattle.
In response to Trump's warning, the Iranian team's official social media account fired back at the President, stating: "The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA -- not any individual country.
"Iran's national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament.
"Certainly no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup. The only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of 'host' yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event."
