World Cup: FIFA Confirms Iran Will ‘For Sure’ Participate
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said Iran will “for sure” take part in the 2026 World Cup despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking at an economic conference organised by CNBC, Infantino expressed hope that the situation in the region would improve by the time the tournament begins.
“Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful situation, which would definitely help,” he said.
He added that Iran had earned its place at the tournament and should be allowed to compete, noting that the players are eager to participate. Iran is set to play its Group G matches in the United States, with fixtures scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, while the team will be based in Tucson, Arizona.
Infantino had made similar remarks in March during an Iran–Costa Rica friendly in Turkey, despite earlier concerns raised by US President Donald Trump over the safety of Iranian players in the United States.
Iran’s participation had been uncertain following tensions linked to the conflict involving the United States and Israel, with Tehran at one point suggesting a possible boycott and requesting that its matches be moved to Mexico — a request FIFA rejected.
Although a fragile truce came into effect on April 8 after weeks of hostilities, tensions in the region remain high, including restrictions on maritime movement involving Iran.
“Sports should be outside of politics,” Infantino said.
“If there’s nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we are doing the job,” he added.
The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, will kick off on June 11.
AFP
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
