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Mar 31, 2026

FIFA chief pledges Iran’s participation in 2026 World Cup despite US‑Iran conflict

AI Summary
FIFA president Gianni Infantino affirmed that Iran will compete in the 2026 World Cup as scheduled, even though the nation is embroiled in a war with the United States and Israel. The statement comes after mixed messages from former President Donald Trump and Iran’s request to move its group matches to Mexico. Iran’s players have also used a friendly match to mourn victims of a deadly school airstrike, underscoring the tournament’s intersection with geopolitics.

Speaking at halftime of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP that Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup and will play its group games on U.S. soil as originally planned. He emphasized his confidence after meeting the team and its coach, describing Iran as a "very, very strong" side.

Infantino added that the tournament’s schedule will be respected "according to the draw," dismissing recent talks by the Iranian Football Federation about relocating its matches to Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly offered to host Iran’s first‑round fixtures if required.

Iran, which secured its spot by topping the Asian qualifying group, is set to open Group G against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, followed by matches versus Belgium (21 June, Los Angeles) and Egypt (26 June, Seattle). The nation has qualified for four straight men’s World Cups but has yet to advance beyond the group stage in the last three editions.

The certainty of Iran’s participation comes amid the ongoing war that erupted on 28 February between the United States, Israel, and Iran. While Infantino initially cited assurances from former President Donald Trump that the Iranian team would be welcome, Trump later warned that traveling to the tournament could endanger the players’ lives and safety.

Responding to the diplomatic tension, Infantino reiterated FIFA’s commitment to a "fair‑play" tournament, stating that the organization cannot resolve geopolitical disputes but will use football’s global reach to foster dialogue and peace.

In a symbolic gesture during a recent friendly against Nigeria in Turkey, Iranian players wore black armbands and carried school rucksacks to honor the victims of a devastating airstrike on a primary school in Minab, which killed at least 170 civilians, including children and teachers. U.S. military investigators have preliminarily concluded that a mis‑targeted Tomahawk cruise missile caused the strike.

Infantino’s assurance that "all teams" will compete as scheduled underscores FIFA’s determination to keep the World Cup on track despite the broader geopolitical turmoil surrounding the event.