FIFA President Gianni Infantino has assured Iran that they will be welcome to the United States of America for the 2026 World Cup despite the conflict between the two countries.
The US, in collaboration with Israel, has been bombing sites in Iran for more than one week, destroying key infrastructure and killing hundreds of Iranians, including over 160 schoolchildren and the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on USA’s allies in the Middle East, mainly targeting American military bases, and killing several soldiers and civilians.
There have been fears that Iran might have to withdraw from the global tournament scheduled for June and July in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, Infantino says Trump will not stop Iran from featuring in the tournament.
“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” Infantino said in a FIFA statement in the early hours of today.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
“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.”
Iran are in Group G of the 48-team tournament with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
All of Iran’s group matches are in the US, with their opening match against New Zealand in Inglewood, California on June 15, where they will also face Belgium six days later.
Iran will wrap up their group campaign against Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
