Infantino says Iran Welcome at 2026 World Cup
Last update: March 11, 2026
Disclaimer: This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services that we personally use and believe will add value to our readers. Your support is appreciated!
FIFA President Infantino confirms Iran welcome at 2026 World Cup after talks with Trump.
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has said Iran will be welcome to participate in this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup after receiving assurances from Donald Trump.
Infantino revealed on Wednesday that he spoke with the United States president about Iran’s participation in the tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico beginning in June.
In a post shared on Instagram, the FIFA chief said their discussion focused on preparations for the global football showpiece and the anticipation building ahead of the competition.
The update comes amid heightened geopolitical tension following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran that reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory attacks across parts of the Middle East.
Iran has already qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and is scheduled to play group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
However, uncertainty over the team’s participation arose after Iranian representatives failed to attend a World Cup planning meeting in Atlanta last week involving participating football federations.
Infantino said his conversation with Trump addressed the issue directly.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”
CBI News reports that Trump had earlier appeared less enthusiastic about Iran’s involvement.
Speaking to Politico last week, he said: “I really don’t care (if Iran participates). I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”
Infantino and Trump have maintained a close relationship during the president’s time in office.
The FIFA chief attended Trump’s pre-inauguration rally and inauguration last January and has appeared at several briefings in the Oval Office.
During the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. in December, Infantino also presented Trump with a newly created FIFA Peace Prize, introduced to recognise individuals who have taken exceptional actions to promote peace and unity across the world.
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the United States Soccer Federation, JT Batson, has expressed support for Iran’s participation in the tournament.
“FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. And we’re certainly very supportive of that,” Batson told Sky News.
Despite the political tensions, FIFA insists the tournament will proceed as planned.
The organisation’s chief operating officer, Heimo Schirgi, said the scale of the competition makes postponement unrealistic.
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Speaking at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas on Monday, Schirgi said: “At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on, obviously. The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone that has qualified can participate.”
Iran are currently scheduled to face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in the group stage of the tournament.
