FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced Thursday that Iran's national soccer team will participate in the 2026 World Cup [1].
The decision is significant because Iran is scheduled to play matches in U.S. venues during a period of heightened political tension involving the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran [2].
Infantino made the announcement April 30, 2026 [1] during the FIFA Congress. He confirmed that the team's participation includes games hosted within the United States [1]. The tournament is slated for the summer of 2026 [4].
"Iran will be participating in the World Cup, including games in the United States," Infantino said [1].
Addressing the FIFA Congress, Infantino said that there are no sporting grounds to exclude Iran because the nation is a FIFA member [5]. He said that the athletic competition should remain separate from the geopolitical conflicts affecting the region [5].
"Of course Iran will compete," Infantino said [3].
Infantino also noted support for the decision from former President Trump. "Let them play," Infantino said [6].
The 2026 tournament will be hosted collectively by the United States, Canada, and Mexico [2]. While the political climate remains volatile, FIFA maintains that membership status grants the Iranian team the right to compete on the global stage [5].
“"Iran will be participating in the World Cup, including games in the United States,"”
FIFA's decision reinforces the organization's long-standing policy of maintaining political neutrality to ensure the inclusivity of its member nations. By allowing Iran to play in the U.S. despite active conflict, FIFA is prioritizing sporting eligibility over diplomatic disputes, though the move may create logistical and security challenges for host cities in the United States.
