FIFA President Confirms Iran Will Play at 2026 World Cup

Infantino says Iranian team is 'coming, for sure' despite ongoing conflict with the U.S.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:22am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a soccer match between Iran and the United States into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of vibrant colors representing the national teams and the geopolitical conflict.The geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, are depicted through a cubist, deconstructed painting style.Inglewood Today

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Infantino said the Iranian team is 'coming, for sure' and that 'sports should be outside of politics', despite the ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S.

Why it matters

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in doubt due to the ongoing war with the U.S., but Infantino's comments suggest FIFA is determined to keep politics out of the tournament and ensure all qualified teams are able to compete.

The details

Infantino said he recently visited the Iranian team during a training camp in Türkiye and that the players are eager to play. The Iranian delegation is set to arrive at its training camp in Tucson, Arizona no later than June 10, ahead of its first match against New Zealand on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Iran is also scheduled to play Belgium at the same venue on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

  • Infantino visited the Iranian team in Antalya, Türkiye on March 31.
  • The Iranian delegation is due at its Tucson, Arizona training camp no later than June 10.
  • Iran's first World Cup match is scheduled for June 15 against New Zealand.

The players

Gianni Infantino

The president of FIFA, world soccer's governing body.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“The Iranian team is coming, for sure. Yes.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

“Sports should be outside of politics.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

What’s next

FIFA and the Iranian team will continue preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with the Iranian delegation set to arrive in Tucson, Arizona no later than June 10 ahead of their first match on June 15.

The takeaway

This decision by FIFA to include Iran in the 2026 World Cup, despite the ongoing political tensions with the U.S., underscores the organization's commitment to keeping sports separate from geopolitics and ensuring all qualified teams can compete on the global stage.