WASHINGTON/GENEVA — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has clarified that Iran will "definitely" participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, despite the ongoing state of war and heightened tensions with the United States. Speaking at a CNBC forum, Infantino sought to end weeks of uncertainty and speculation regarding the team's involvement in the tournament.
Sports Above Politics
Infantino addressed the growing questions surrounding Iran's participation due to recent regional conflicts. He expressed firm confidence that the situation would stabilize by the time the tournament begins, noting that such a de-escalation would be a positive outcome for everyone involved.
"Iran has already qualified, and the players are eager to play," Infantino stated. He emphasized his belief that a national team represents its people, not just its government. Recounting a meeting with the Iranian national squad in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks ago, the FIFA chief described the team as high-quality and fully prepared for the pitch.
"We must strive to keep sports separate from politics," Infantino urged during the forum.
The Challenge of Neutrality
While advocating for the separation of sport and state, Infantino acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining that boundary in the real world. He noted that while it isn't always possible to keep them entirely distinct, FIFA continues to work toward building bridges between nations through football.
In a poignant moment during the discussions, it was noted that Iranian footballers have recently expressed their grief and solidarity in memory of children killed during the conflict.
Match Logistics in Host Cities
The 2026 World Cup is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Despite the diplomatic friction between the host nation and the visiting team, the schedule for Iran remains unchanged:
Matches 1 & 2: Set to take place in Inglewood, California (SoFi Stadium).
Match 3: Scheduled to be played in Seattle, Washington (Lumen Field).
Security and logistics for the Iranian delegation are expected to be high-priority topics as the tournament approaches, given the current geopolitical climate.
Tournament Watch: The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off in June, with Iran placed in a group that will see them travel extensively across the West Coast of the United States.
