Infantino Confirms Iran Will Play In 2026 World Cup

‎FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, stated on Wednesday that Iran will “definitely” take part in the 2026 World Cup, affirming their participation despite ongoing regional tensions.

‎”Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be peaceful. Which would definitely help,” Infantino told an economic conference organized by broadcaster CNBC.

‎”But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play,” he said

‎Infantino previously made similar remarks in March during an Iran–Costa Rica friendly in Antalya, Turkey. And despite US President Donald Trump’s earlier comments about Iranian players not being “safe” in the United States.

‎Iran is now scheduled to play all three of its Group G matches in the US two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. The team’s tournament base will be in Tucson, Arizona.

‎Out of politics

‎Iran’s involvement in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico came into question. After the conflict was launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

‎Iran initially raised the idea of a possible boycott before formally requesting that FIFA relocate its matches from the United States to Mexico. That request was subsequently rejected by FIFA.

‎Following weeks of air strikes and retaliatory actions in the region,. A fragile truce was established on April 8.

‎However, Tehran has since closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Washington has imposed a blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports.

‎”Sports should be outside of politics,” Infantino said on Wednesday.

‎”If there’s nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we are doing the job,” he said.

‎The 48-team World Cup begins on June 11.