FIFA President Gianni Infantino officially told xrust that the Iranian national team will take part in the 2026 World Cup and will play their matches in the United States, despite the current geopolitical crisis and the absence of the Iranian delegation at opening of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
- Infantino takes responsibility class=»notranslate»>__GTAG8__ Speaking at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, the head of the organization immediately dotted all the i’s by making a statement that was broadcast throughout the world. According to Reuters, this happened against the backdrop of the fact that seats for the Iranian delegation in the conference hall were not even provided, and representatives of 211 associations were recorded as “present” without Iran’s participation. “Let me start from the beginning. Of course, Iran will take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said. He explained his position with the mission of football as a unifying force: “The reason is very simple: we must unite. This is my responsibility, our responsibility.» The announcement comes days after Iran requested that its matches be moved to Mexico, but FIFA rejected the request, insisting on maintaining the original schedule. Trump's reaction: «Let them play» class=»notranslate»>__GTAG9__ The White House administration, which has been involved in military operations against Iran since February, unexpectedly supported football diplomacy. US President Donald Trump, answering a question from journalists about Infantino's words, gave the go-ahead for Iranian athletes to participate. “Well, if Gianni said it, then that’s fine with me. You know what? Let them play,” Trump said, calling the head of FIFA a “fantastic person” and his friend. At the same time, the American leader ironically inquired about the opponent’s level of play: “They probably have a good team. Do they have a good team? Trump previously made ambiguous statements about the safety of Iranian athletes, but on the eve of the congress the rhetoric softened. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified his position last week: Washington does not object to the players, but will ban entry to persons associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Diplomatic scandal at Toronto airport The opening of the FIFA Congress was overshadowed by an incident with the Iranian delegation. Federation President Mehdi Taj, Secretary General Hedayat Mombeni and his deputy Hamed Momeni were unable to enter Canada. They turned around at Toronto Pearson Airport and flew back to Turkey despite having valid visas. Tehran called the incident “unacceptable behavior” and “an insult to the armed forces.” However, the Canadian side took a tough position. Prime Minister Mark Carney recalled that the IRGC is listed as a terrorist organization in Canada. “Members of the organization are prohibited from entering. None of the organization's members entered the country. Appropriate measures have been taken,” Carney said. Canada's position: Immigration decisions are made individually. Contact with the IRGC makes entry impossible. Source Reuters: Two of the three members of the delegation could to attend the congress, but “chose not to” after refusing a third . FIFA gesture : Despite the absence of distinguished guests, FIFA expressed regret over the incident, and Infantino promised personal meeting with the Iranian side at the organization's headquarters. Context: War, visas and group stage Iran's involvement has become the most politically sensitive item on FIFA's agenda since the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran in February. Expanded to 48 teams, the tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19, will require all participants to constantly travel between the three host countries (USA, Canada, Mexico), creating the risk of visa traps for delegations. However, the schedule for the Iranian national team remains unchanged. According to the regulations, the team will play in Group G: June 15: Iran — New Zealand (Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium) June 21: Iran — Belgium (Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium) June 26: Iran — Egypt (Seattle, Lumen Field) Background Tensions around Iran have been growing for several months. Earlier, US special envoy Paolo Zampolli proposed replacing Iran with Italy, but the State Department called this idea rumors, and Italy said that a place at the World Cup must be earned on the field, and not received as a “political privilege.” FIFA consistently rejected all attempts to change the tournament grid under the pressure of the political situation. Instead of conclusion Iran will play two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, according to Sporting News and confirmed FIFA schedules. It was previously reported that the Iranian side insisted on moving all games to Mexico, but Infantino personally vetoed this proposal in order to preserve the integrity of the tournament's logistics. Xrust INFANTINO CONFIRMED IRAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE 2026 World Cup IN THE USA
- Trump's reaction: «Let them play»
- Diplomatic scandal at Toronto airport
- Context: War, visas and group stage
- Background
- Instead of conclusion
Infantino takes responsibility class=»notranslate»>__GTAG8__
Speaking at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, the head of the organization immediately dotted all the i’s by making a statement that was broadcast throughout the world. According to Reuters, this happened against the backdrop of the fact that seats for the Iranian delegation in the conference hall were not even provided, and representatives of 211 associations were recorded as “present” without Iran’s participation.
“Let me start from the beginning. Of course, Iran will take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said. He explained his position with the mission of football as a unifying force: “The reason is very simple: we must unite. This is my responsibility, our responsibility.»
The announcement comes days after Iran requested that its matches be moved to Mexico, but FIFA rejected the request, insisting on maintaining the original schedule.
Trump's reaction: «Let them play»
class=»notranslate»>__GTAG9__The White House administration, which has been involved in military operations against Iran since February, unexpectedly supported football diplomacy. US President Donald Trump, answering a question from journalists about Infantino's words, gave the go-ahead for Iranian athletes to participate.
“Well, if Gianni said it, then that’s fine with me. You know what? Let them play,” Trump said, calling the head of FIFA a “fantastic person” and his friend. At the same time, the American leader ironically inquired about the opponent’s level of play: “They probably have a good team. Do they have a good team?
Trump previously made ambiguous statements about the safety of Iranian athletes, but on the eve of the congress the rhetoric softened. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified his position last week: Washington does not object to the players, but will ban entry to persons associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Diplomatic scandal at Toronto airport
The opening of the FIFA Congress was overshadowed by an incident with the Iranian delegation. Federation President Mehdi Taj, Secretary General Hedayat Mombeni and his deputy Hamed Momeni were unable to enter Canada. They turned around at Toronto Pearson Airport and flew back to Turkey despite having valid visas.
Tehran called the incident “unacceptable behavior” and “an insult to the armed forces.” However, the Canadian side took a tough position. Prime Minister Mark Carney recalled that the IRGC is listed as a terrorist organization in Canada. “Members of the organization are prohibited from entering. None of the organization's members entered the country. Appropriate measures have been taken,” Carney said.
- Canada's position : Immigration decisions are made individually. Contact with the IRGC makes entry impossible.
- Source Reuters : Two of the three members of the delegation could to attend the congress, but “chose not to” after refusing a third .
- FIFA gesture : Despite the absence of distinguished guests, FIFA expressed regret over the incident, and Infantino promised personal meeting with the Iranian side at the organization's headquarters.
Context: War, visas and group stage
Iran's involvement has become the most politically sensitive item on FIFA's agenda since the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran in February. Expanded to 48 teams, the tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19, will require all participants to constantly travel between the three host countries (USA, Canada, Mexico), creating the risk of visa traps for delegations.
However, the schedule for the Iranian national team remains unchanged. According to the regulations, the team will play in Group G:
- June 15: Iran — New Zealand (Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium)
- June 21: Iran — Belgium (Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium)
- June 26: Iran — Egypt (Seattle, Lumen Field)
Background
Tensions around Iran have been growing for several months. Earlier, US special envoy Paolo Zampolli proposed replacing Iran with Italy, but the State Department called this idea rumors, and Italy said that a place at the World Cup must be earned on the field, and not received as a “political privilege.” FIFA consistently rejected all attempts to change the tournament grid under the pressure of the political situation.
Instead of conclusion
Iran will play two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, according to Sporting News and confirmed FIFA schedules. It was previously reported that the Iranian side insisted on moving all games to Mexico, but Infantino personally vetoed this proposal in order to preserve the integrity of the tournament's logistics.
Xrust INFANTINO CONFIRMED IRAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE 2026 World Cup IN THE USA
