FIFA stance remains firm
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup, despite the ongoing conflict involving the United States.
Infantino stated that Iran will “for sure” be present at the tournament after qualifying through the Asian confederation, according to ESPN.
No changes to tournament structure
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play its group-stage matches in the United States.
Requests to move Iran’s matches to Mexico due to safety concerns were rejected, with FIFA maintaining that the competition will proceed as planned, as reported by ESPN.
Political tensions raised uncertainty
The situation became unclear following the escalation of conflict between Iran and the United States in early 2026, which led to questions about travel, security and participation.
At various points, Iranian officials suggested the team might not attend or could refuse to travel to the United States, according to ESPN.
FIFA rejects alternative scenarios
Despite these concerns, FIFA has not developed an alternative plan and continues to operate under the assumption that all qualified teams will compete.
The governing body has emphasized that the tournament schedule will remain unchanged, reinforcing its commitment to sporting continuity.
Infantino’s position
Infantino has stressed that Iran earned its place through qualification and should be allowed to compete on the global stage.
He also highlighted football’s role in bringing nations together, even during periods of political tension.
What comes next
The focus now shifts to ensuring logistical and security arrangements ahead of the tournament, which begins on June 11, 2026.
For now, Iran remains fully expected to compete, with FIFA standing by its decision to include all qualified nations.
Source: ESPN