FIFA President Says Iran Will Play in World Cup Despite War

Infantino meets with Iranian team and expects them to participate in tournament co-hosted by the U.S.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a soccer match between the U.S. and Iran national teams, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conceptually representing the political tensions surrounding their participation in the tournament.The 2026 World Cup will bring together nations in conflict, testing the power of sports to bridge political divides.Inglewood Today

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup 'for sure' despite the ongoing war between Iran and the United States. Infantino met with the Iranian national team in Turkey and was impressed by the players' desire to compete. While acknowledging the challenges of separating sports and politics, Infantino emphasized the importance of Iran's participation and expressed hope that the situation will be peaceful by the time of the tournament.

Why it matters

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in doubt due to the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel. Infantino's assurance that Iran will play is significant, as it maintains the integrity of the tournament and allows the Iranian team to represent their country on the global stage.

The details

Infantino met with the Iranian national team in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks ago and was impressed by their quality and desire to play. The U.S. and Israel have launched airstrikes on Iran, raising concerns about the country's ability to participate in the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, Infantino stated that the Iranian team is 'coming for sure' and that 'the players want to play'.

  • Infantino met with the Iranian national team in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks ago.
  • The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place.

The players

Gianni Infantino

The president of FIFA, the international governing body of association football, who has assured that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who has discouraged the Iranian team from attending the World Cup due to safety concerns.

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What they’re saying

“'The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes. We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.'”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

What’s next

The U.S. and Iran will need to work towards a peaceful resolution to ensure the safety of the Iranian team and fans during the World Cup.

The takeaway

Despite the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, FIFA President Infantino's assurance that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup demonstrates the power of sports to transcend political divisions and bring people together.