- Infantino emphasized that Iran’s matches will take place according to the tournament draw
- Infantino noted that US assurances had been given regarding Iran’s team attending safely
- Iran responded by insisting that its national team could not be barred from the tournament
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup and will play its group stage matches in the United States as originally scheduled, despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Eko Hot Blog repotrs that speaking to AFP during halftime of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey, Infantino said, “Iran will be at the World Cup.
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They are a very strong team, and I’m very happy.” He added that he had met with the players and coaching staff and found everything in order.
Infantino emphasized that Iran’s matches will take place according to the tournament draw. The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to kick off on June 11.
Iran will face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 27.
Earlier concerns over Iran’s participation arose following the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel on February 28. Reports suggested that the Iranian Football Federation had discussed with FIFA the possibility of moving their matches to Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had expressed readiness to host Iran’s first-round games if necessary.
Initially, Infantino noted that the US had given assurances that Iran’s team would attend safely.
However, US President Donald Trump later expressed concerns for the team’s safety, suggesting they should not travel. Iran responded by insisting that its national team could not be barred from the tournament.
Infantino reiterated FIFA’s commitment to the tournament proceeding as planned, with all qualified teams participating. “FIFA is committed to using the power of football and the World Cup to build bridges and promote peace,” he said, while acknowledging that football cannot resolve geopolitical disputes.
Iran recently played a friendly against Nigeria in Belek, Turkey, in a match marked by a tribute to victims of a school airstrike in Minab, southern Iran, which killed at least 170 people on February 28.
Players wore black armbands and posed with school backpacks to honor the victims, according to reports. Preliminary US military investigations indicate the strike may have been caused by a targeting error from a Tomahawk missile.
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