FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the Iranian national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup as scheduled, addressing previous discussions regarding a potential withdrawal due to security concerns.
Speaking at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, the head of the organization firmly confirmed that the Asian representative would compete in matches held in the United States, according to the Operative Information Center-OMM.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, has already finalized Iran's match schedule. The team is set to face New Zealand in California on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
This confirmation follows statements made in March by Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Dunyamali, who suggested participation might be impossible due to a lack of safety guarantees for the players.
In response, Infantino engaged in direct discussions with the administration of US President Donald Trump, undertaking significant diplomatic efforts to ensure the team's involvement. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that entry would be granted to all players not affiliated with the Iranian military.
Tensions in the sports community had escalated following military developments in February and the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These events led the Iranian Football Federation to signal a potential boycott, questioning the feasibility of competing in the United States.
While there were reports of Italy potentially replacing Iran in the tournament, FIFA rejected the proposal. Although Iran's participation is now official, US government visa screenings and stadium security measures are expected to remain sensitive issues leading up to the event. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32-team format to include more nations from across the globe.
