FIFA has officially confirmed that Iran's national football team is anticipated to compete in the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This announcement comes amidst significant geopolitical strains between Iran and the United States, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on 11 June and conclude on 19 July.
Iran's World Cup Fixtures and Schedule
Iran is set to participate in three group stage matches during the competition. Their campaign will begin with a clash against New Zealand on 15 June in Inglewood, California. This will be followed by a high-profile encounter with Belgium on 21 June, also in Los Angeles. The group stage will wrap up for Iran with a match against Egypt on 26 June in Seattle, Washington.
Assurances from President Trump
FIFA President Gianni Infantino disclosed that he held a meeting with former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night to discuss preparations for the global event. During their conversation, Infantino stated that Trump provided clear assurances regarding Iran's involvement.
"We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026," Infantino remarked. "During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States."
Background of Infantino-Trump Relationship
Infantino and Trump share a close professional relationship, highlighted by Trump receiving FIFA's inaugural peace prize—an award widely perceived to have been created with the former president in mind. This connection adds a layer of diplomatic nuance to the assurances given.
Notably, fans from Iran have previously faced entry bans to the US under travel restrictions announced during the Trump administration, making the welcome for the team a notable shift in context.
FIFA's Stance on Tournament Continuity
Heimo Schirgi, FIFA's World Cup chief operating officer, emphasized that the tournament is "too big" to be postponed despite global turmoil stemming from conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Schirgi indicated that FIFA is monitoring the situation daily but remains confident in the event's progression.
"We basically take it day by day and at some stage we will have a resolution," Schirgi explained. "And the World Cup will go on obviously, right? The World Cup is too big and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified."
Doubts from Iranian Officials
Earlier concerns were raised by Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj, who expressed pessimism about participation following recent attacks. "What is certain is that after these attacks, it's hard to look at the World Cup with hope," Taj told sports news portal Varzesh3 in early March.
Humanitarian Visas for Iran's Women's Team
In a related development, Australia confirmed it granted six humanitarian visas to members of Iran's women's national football team due to safety concerns. The players were in Australia for the AFC Asian Cup, where Iran's team was eliminated.
Australia's home affairs minister Tony Burke verified that seven individuals were offered asylum, with one woman later deciding to return home, while the others departed Australia on Tuesday.
Infantino concluded by stressing the unifying power of the World Cup, stating, "We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever," and extended thanks to Trump for his support.
