Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States of America as scheduled, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed. There have been reports of uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the tournament since the country’s ongoing war against the US and Israel.
However, Infantino insisted that the Asian side will be at the World Cup scheduled to hold this summer.
“Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino told AFP. “We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team, I’m very happy.
“The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.”
Iran will play against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21 respectively, while they travel to Seattle to play against Egypt on June 26.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country was prepared to host Iran’s matches if needed. But Infantino insisted they would participate in the tournament as scheduled.
”I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” he said after Iran’s 5-0 friendly win against Costa Rica in Turkey on Tuesday.
Mahdi Mohammadnabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) added: “For us, what matters most are Fifa’s rules and regulations. We will comply with whatever Fifa decides.
“Every host country has made commitments to Fifa and must honour them.”
Mohammadnabi also revealed that Infantino had attended the game in Turkey while en route from Mexico to Qatar.
“Having learnt that we were organising friendly matches here, he came to see us in person, and we had a fruitful discussion,” he said.
“Given our history in this competition, it is only natural that Fifa should support the Iranian team. Mr Infantino is providing the necessary support to our national team and has given our players a great boost.”
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will start on June 11 and will be hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada. Last week, Iranian ambassador in Mexico City said the country was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s group stage matches from the US to Mexico, citing safety concerns. However, US president Donald Trump said the team was welcome to the World Cup. But he didn’t think it was “appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Iranian state TV would later report that Iran banned its sports teams from traveling to countries it considers “hostile,” ahead of Traktor Sazi FC’s scheduled soccer game in Saudi Arabia. However, Iran’s Ministry of Sports in Tehran didn’t mention the World Cup as part of the ban.
Also Read: BREAKING NEWS: Otto Addo sacked as Black Stars coach
