FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced Thursday that Iran will participate in the 2026 [1] World Cup and play its matches in the U.S. [1].

The confirmation addresses long-standing questions regarding whether geopolitical tensions between Tehran and Washington would prevent the Iranian national team from competing on American soil. Because the U.S. is a primary host for the tournament, any restriction on Iranian athletes would have created a significant diplomatic and sporting crisis for the governing body.

Speaking during the opening of the FIFA Congress, Infantino clarified the status of the Iranian team. "First of all, of course Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup. And of course Iran will play in the United States," Infantino said [1].

The statement aims to ensure that the tournament remains an inclusive sporting event regardless of the political climate. The 2026 [1] tournament is set to be a massive expansion of the previous format, and the inclusion of all qualified nations is central to FIFA's operational goals.

Other political figures have reacted to the announcement. Donald Trump said that if the FIFA president stated Iran would participate, he does not mind their presence in the tournament [2].

FIFA has not released a specific schedule for the group stages, but the president's remarks indicate that no special arrangements or venue shifts will be required for the Iranian squad. The decision keeps the tournament's logistical planning intact, ensuring that matches are held in the designated host countries without the need for neutral-site alternatives for specific nations.

“"Of course Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup. And of course Iran will play in the United States."”

This announcement removes a major point of uncertainty for the 2026 World Cup. By confirming that Iran will play in the U.S., FIFA is asserting the primacy of sport over diplomacy, signaling that the U.S. government will likely grant the necessary visas for the Iranian delegation despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.