FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the Iranian national team will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing reports from CNBC, Infantino emphasized that the team earned their qualification and represents their nation, dismissing suggestions that geopolitical tensions should lead to their exclusion. "Of course, Iran must come. They represent their nation. They have qualified. The players want to play," the FIFA head stated.
The tournament is set to run from June 11 to July 19. Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the involvement of the United States in regional conflicts, there had been speculation regarding Iran's status in the competition. Reports indicate that the Iranian side has held discussions with FIFA regarding the possibility of relocating the team's matches from U.S. territory to venues in Mexico. This comes as US President Donald Trump's administration prepares to host the majority of the tournament's fixtures across various American cities.
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic expansion to 48 teams, making it the largest edition of the tournament to date. While all participants have now been determined, several notable teams will miss the event. Italy failed to qualify for the third consecutive time after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on March 31. Additionally, the Russian national team remains excluded from international competition due to sanctions imposed by FIFA and UEFA in 2022. The event is expected to be one of the most-watched sporting events in history, with the final scheduled to be held in the United States.
