Trump Assures FIFA President Iran Will Compete in 2026 World Cup

Geopolitical breakthrough allows Iranian national team to play in the United States

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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In a surprise move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has assured FIFA President Gianni Infantino that the Iranian national team will be welcomed to compete in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in part by the United States. This diplomatic breakthrough comes just months before the tournament is set to begin, defusing a potential political flashpoint.

Why it matters

The ability of the Iranian team to participate in the World Cup is seen as an important symbolic gesture of unity, allowing the sport to transcend political tensions between the U.S. and Iran. This move by Trump represents a rare instance of cooperation between the two nations, which have been at odds for decades.

The details

Infantino confirmed that Trump "reiterated that, of course, the Iranian team is welcome to compete" in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This decision allows the Iranian flag to fly in American stadiums despite the longstanding diplomatic standoff between Washington and Tehran, symbolizing football's power to bring people together across borders.

  • The 2026 World Cup is set to kick off in just 93 days.

The players

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who has assured the Iranian national team will be allowed to compete in the 2026 World Cup.

Gianni Infantino

President of FIFA, the international governing body of association football, who met with Trump to secure the guarantee for Iran's participation.

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What they’re saying

“President Trump reiterated that, of course, the Iranian team is welcome to compete.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President (Yahoo Sports)

“Now more than ever, we all need an event like the World Cup to bring people together.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

With the guarantee that Iran will be able to participate, the focus now shifts to finalizing preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be the first to feature 48 teams.

The takeaway

This diplomatic breakthrough between the U.S. and Iran, facilitated through the unifying power of football, demonstrates the potential for sports to transcend political divisions and bring the world together.