FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Speaking at an economic conference hosted by CNBC, Infantino emphasized that sports should remain outside of politics and expressed hope for a more peaceful situation by the time the tournament begins.
Infantino stated, “Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be peaceful, that would definitely help.” His remarks come after months of uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation, following the conflict involving the United States and Israel earlier this year.
Iran’s players, including Danial Esmaeilifar, Saman Ghoddos, Ali Nemati, and Amirmohammad Razzaghinia, had previously drawn attention to the humanitarian impact of the war by holding pictures of damaged buildings and young victims before their friendly match against Costa Rica in Antalya, Turkiye.
Despite concerns raised by political leaders, Infantino reiterated that Iran has qualified fairly and deserves to represent its people on the global stage. He stressed that the World Cup is about unity, not division, and that FIFA’s role is to build bridges through football.
Iran is scheduled to play its Group G matches in the United States, with two games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Their base for the tournament will be in Tucson, Arizona. Although Iran had requested FIFA to move its matches to Mexico due to safety concerns, the governing body rejected the proposal.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition featuring 48 teams. It kicks off on June 11, and Infantino’s assurance has now ended weeks of speculation about Iran’s participation.
By standing firm, FIFA has sent a clear message: football must remain a symbol of hope and unity, even in times of political conflict.
