FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press event, Infantino made it clear that Iran has officially qualified for the tournament and “must come” to compete. He said the players are eager to play and stressed that sports should be kept separate from politics.
Iranian officials had earlier raised concerns about player safety and suggested moving their matches to a neutral venue. However, FIFA has rejected this request. The football governing body said it is not possible to change venues due to logistical problems and has received proper safety assurances from the host countries.
Iran is placed in a group where all their group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States. Infantino assured that FIFA is closely monitoring the situation and will ensure the safety of all teams and players.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be the biggest World Cup in history with 48 teams participating.
This statement from the FIFA President comes after weeks of speculation about whether Iran would be allowed to participate due to the recent US-Iran conflict and fragile ceasefire. Many fans and football experts had feared that political tensions might affect Iran’s participation.
Gianni Infantino’s firm stance sends a clear message that FIFA wants to keep football above politics and ensure the tournament remains truly global.
Iran’s national team is currently preparing for the World Cup and is expected to arrive in North America along with other qualified teams in June 2026.
