Iran will be at World Cup and will play in the US, says FIFA boss

VANCOUVER: FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted Iran would play World Cup matches in the United States as the soccer governing body’s Congress opened on Thursday without the country’s delegation, its absence highlighting tensions and challenges surrounding the tournament.
“Let me start at the outset. Of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said.
“And the reason for that is very simple, we have to unite. It is my responsibility, our responsibility.”
US President Donald Trump said he was “okay” with Iran playing at the World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino addresses the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.

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“Well if Gianni said it I’m okay. Did Gianni say it?... You know what? Let them play. Well, Gianni’s fantastic, he’s a friend of mine. ‌He talked about ‌it,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
“I said you do whatever you want. You ‌can ⁠have them. You ⁠don’t have to have them. They probably have a good team. Do they have a good team?“
Iran have qualified for the June 11-July 19 tournament, but their participation has been fraught, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for matches on US soil.
FIFA has rejected the request, insisting the schedule would stand. Iranian football federation officials, including president Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the Congress but turned back at Toronto airport after what Tehran described as “unacceptable behavior” by Canadian immigration authorities, despite traveling with valid visas.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, underscored the practical and ⁠political obstacles surrounding Iran’s participation at the World Cup,