FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed Thursday that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play its matches in the U.S. [1, 2].
The decision is significant because it places the Iranian national team in the United States despite ongoing international conflicts and diplomatic tensions between the two nations [3].
Infantino made the announcement during the opening speech of the 76th FIFA Congress [1, 2]. The 2026 tournament is being hosted jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [3].
While the logistical details of the team's stay have not been fully detailed, Infantino said the move is intended to foster global connection. The FIFA president said the goal is to use the sport as a bridge between disparate populations.
"The reason is simple: we have to unite. We have to unite people," Infantino said [4].
Iran's presence in the U.S. for the tournament marks a rare instance of the national team competing on American soil. The tournament structure involves multiple host cities across the three North American nations, but the FIFA president said that Iran's matches would occur within the U.S. [2, 3].
FIFA has not provided further details on security protocols or visa arrangements for the Iranian delegation. The organization said that football remains a neutral territory capable of bringing together nations that do not maintain formal diplomatic relations [4].
“"The reason is simple: we have to unite. We have to unite people."”
This decision highlights FIFA's ongoing effort to position itself as a diplomatic entity capable of transcending geopolitical strife. By scheduling Iran's matches in the U.S., FIFA is testing the limits of sports diplomacy in an environment of high tension, potentially pressuring host governments to provide safe passage and visas for athletes despite political sanctions or hostilities.
