With less than two months until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has once again confirmed that Iran will take part in the tournament, though Iranian authorities have yet to give a clear response.
"The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes," Infantino said in an interview with US media. "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. That would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play."
Infantino added, "I went to see them in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks ago. They are actually quite a good team as well. And they really want to play, and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics."
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran. On March 11, Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donyamali said in an interview that given the current situation, Iran could not possibly take part in this summer's World Cup. "Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup," Donyamali said.
Iran is scheduled to play all its Group G matches in the United States. The Iranian Football Federation has been pushing to move the team's three group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico. However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on April 10 that FIFA had ultimately decided not to relocate Iran's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
Amir Ghalenoei, head coach of Iran's national football team, said on April 14 that the team would abide by any decision made by the Iranian Football Federation regarding participation in the World Cup, and that the team was awaiting clarification of their responsibilities from the federation, hoping to receive guidance as soon as possible.
Related News:
US expands sanctions on Iran's oil shipping network, targeting entities in multiple countries
As US and Iran restart talks, Trump says Iran conflict is 'close to over'
Comment