Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani has officially announced that the national team is prepared to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the statement was initially carried by the Associated Press. Mohajerani noted that, according to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, all necessary preparations have been finalized to ensure the national team's successful performance during the global tournament.
The announcement follows a period of uncertainty regarding Iran's involvement. Previously, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali had suggested that the team's participation might not be possible under current circumstances. Following those remarks, the Iranian side reportedly entered into discussions with FIFA regarding the potential relocation of matches scheduled to be held in the United States. These developments occurred against the backdrop of a March 27 announcement in which Iranian authorities reportedly prohibited national teams from competing in "unfriendly countries."
The political dimension of the tournament has been further highlighted by statements from US President Donald Trump, who expressed that he did not consider Iran's participation in the tournament to be appropriate. Despite these tensions and earlier proposals from various circles in the United States to replace Iran with Italy in the tournament lineup, Tehran has reaffirmed its commitment to the competition. US President Donald Trump has maintained a firm stance on international sporting protocols involving sanctioned nations during his current term.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Iranian national team has successfully qualified for the tournament and is placed in Group G, where they will face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. The matches for this group are currently slated to be held at venues across the United States.
