Iran Will Feature at U.S.-Hosted World Cup Despite War  FIFA President

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup despite the war involving the United States, offering the clearest sign yet that football’s governing body still expects the team to compete as scheduled. He made the remark on Wednesday at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum.

Infantino said Iran “has to come” because the team has already qualified and the players want to play. He added that FIFA hopes the situation will be peaceful by the time the tournament begins, but stressed that Iran’s place at the competition remains intact.

His comments come after weeks of uncertainty over whether Iran would appear at the World Cup following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on the country. 

Public statements from Iranian sports and football officials have not always aligned, helping to fuel doubts about the team’s status. Reuters reported in March that the Asian Football Confederation had received no formal notice of a withdrawal, even as speculation grew.

Infantino also revealed that he met Iran’s national team in Antalya, Turkey, about two weeks ago and came away impressed by both their quality and their desire to play. He argued that sport should remain separate from politics, while admitting that such a separation is not always easy in the real world.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States, with two games set for Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle. Reuters had earlier reported that FIFA intended to keep those fixtures in the U.S. as planned.

The issue has also drawn political attention. According to the Associated Press, U.S. President Donald Trump had discouraged Iran from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns. That added to the uncertainty surrounding one of Asia’s qualified teams, but Infantino’s latest comments suggest FIFA is not changing course.