Iran’s participation in the World Cup has now been confirmed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who said the team will “for sure” take part in the 2026 tournament despite the conflict in the Middle East. His remarks aim to remove uncertainty around Iran’s place in the competition after weeks of political and security concerns.
Infantino said Iran had qualified, the players wanted to play, and the team would represent its people on the global stage. He also expressed hope that the situation would be peaceful by the time the tournament begins in June 2026. Speaking at a CNBC economic conference, Infantino said Iran is coming “for sure” and stressed that sport should remain outside politics. He presented FIFA’s position as one of bridge-building amid rising regional tensions.
Those comments come after Iran’s participation had been questioned because of the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. FIFA has nevertheless maintained that qualified teams must be allowed to compete.
Iran is set to play all three Group G matches in the United States. Two games are scheduled in Los Angeles, while the third will be played in Seattle. The team’s tournament base will be in Tucson, Arizona. That means FIFA is moving ahead with the existing logistics despite ongoing concerns linked to diplomacy, travel and security.
FIFA Rejected Iran’s Request for a Switch
Iran had earlier asked FIFA to move its matches from the United States to Mexico. However, the request was rejected, leaving the original World Cup arrangement in place. That decision reinforced FIFA’s message that tournament planning would not be redrawn solely because of political pressure. It also made Infantino’s latest remarks especially significant, as they leave little doubt about the governing body’s position.
Iran’s World Cup status had come under fresh scrutiny after the conflict launched on February 28 and the fragile truce that took effect on April 8. Tensions remain high because of the Strait of Hormuz closure and Washington’s blockade on ships linked to Iranian ports. Even so, FIFA appears determined to separate football from geopolitics. Infantino said the players represent the people, not the broader political dispute, and that sport should help maintain connections rather than deepen division.
Iran in Group G, where its three group-stage matches are already mapped out. It also notes that the first expanded 48-team World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026. For now, the biggest question is no longer whether Iran will be there. Instead, attention is shifting toward how the team performs on the field and whether the wider regional situation remains stable by the time the tournament begins.
| Opponent | FIFA Ranking (approx.) | Style & Strengths | Challenge for Iran |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Top 10 | Experienced, technically strong, attacking | Toughest match – high-quality squad |
| Egypt | Around 25–30 | Organized defense, physical, counter-attacks | Key decisive game for second place |
| New Zealand | Around 80–100 | Physical, direct, limited technical depth | Most winnable – Iran expected to dominate |
