FIFA deliver fresh update on Iran at 2026 World Cup as Gianni Infantino speaks out
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Iran will compete at the 2026 World Cup, seeking to put to rest uncertainty over the team’s participation as conflict continues to affect parts of the Middle East.
Speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum on April 15, Infantino said Iran had earned its place in the tournament and would be included in the competition, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” he said. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful one… But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
His remarks come as fighting in the region, which escalated in late February following a US-Israeli offensive targeting Iran, continues to have humanitarian and logistical consequences. Regional media and international reporting indicate that multiple countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Lebanon have been affected, with casualties reported and populations displaced.
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The instability has also disrupted the international sports calendar. Formula One races scheduled in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were cancelled over security concerns, underscoring the broader impact on global events.
Iran had previously asked FIFA to move its group-stage matches out of the United States, where it is due to face New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium. The country’s football federation proposed relocating the fixtures to Mexico, but Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the request was not approved.
Infantino, who recently met Iran’s national team during a visit to Turkey, said players had made clear they intend to compete.
“They really want to play, and they should play. Sport should be outside of politics now,” he said.
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While acknowledging that global tensions inevitably intersect with sport, Infantino suggested football can still serve a unifying role.
“OK, we don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” he said. “But you know, if there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and in keeping them intact and together, well, we are doing that job.”
US President Donald Trump has previously said Iran would be “welcome” at the tournament, while also warning that participation could pose risks, suggesting the team consider staying home “for their own life and safety.”
The tournament is set to begin on June 11, when Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match, with organizers continuing preparations amid an uncertain geopolitical backdrop.
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Sources: CNBC
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