FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup and will play its scheduled matches in the United States, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during Iran’s friendly match against Costa Rica in Turkey, Infantino expressed confidence that everything remains on track, noting that he had interacted with the players and coaching staff.
He emphasized that Iran’s fixtures will proceed according to the official tournament schedule and draw.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to kick off on June 11. Iran is expected to begin its campaign in Los Angeles, where it will face New Zealand on June 15, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt.
There had been uncertainty over Iran’s participation due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. Earlier reports indicated that Iranian officials were exploring the possibility of relocating their matches to Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had also stated that Mexico would be willing to host Iran’s games if necessary.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump had raised concerns about the team’s safety, suggesting Iran should reconsider travelling to the tournament. Iranian authorities, however, dismissed such concerns, insisting that no country can prevent their participation.
Infantino reiterated that FIFA remains focused on ensuring the tournament proceeds as planned with all qualified teams. He added that while football cannot resolve global conflicts, the World Cup can serve as a platform to promote unity and peace.
- BBC/Getty image
- AFP