Trump assures FIFA Iran are welcome to the US for 2026 World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has received assurances from U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran’s national team will be allowed to travel to the United States to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday night to discuss preparations for the tournament and the participation of Iran.
“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,” Infantino said in a post on Instagram.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”
FIFA said it expects Iran’s national team to be permitted to enter the United States and compete in the tournament, which begins in about three months, despite ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California against New Zealand national football team on June 15 and Belgium national football team on June 21, before concluding its group stage matches against Egypt national football team in Seattle, Washington on June 26.
The United States will co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Iranian officials have recently suggested that their participation could be uncertain due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. Last week, Trump said he “really doesn’t care” whether Iran takes part in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Infantino, who maintains a close relationship with Trump, noted that major sporting events such as the World Cup can help unite people during periods of global tension.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever,” he said, thanking the U.S. President for his support.
Earlier this week, FIFA’s World Cup chief operating officer also said the tournament is “too big” to be postponed despite global instability linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
