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Iran’s national soccer team will be able to travel to the United States and compete in the 2026 World Cup, FIFA said Tuesday, putting to rest questions about whether the conflict between the two countries could derail the team’s participation.
Concerns arose after Iranian officials hinted their team might not attend because of the ongoing tensions. Last week, former President Donald Trump downplayed the issue, saying he “doesn’t really care” if Iran shows up for the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with Trump Tuesday night to review preparations for the tournament and received clear assurances that the Iranian squad would be welcome.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Infantino posted 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.”
Infantino, who has a close relationship with Trump, called the World Cup “an event to bring people closer now more than ever” and thanked the former president for his support. Trump was previously awarded FIFA’s first peace prize, an honor widely seen as crafted with him in mind.
Iran is set to play three group-stage matches: against New Zealand on June 15 in Inglewood, California; Belgium on June 21; and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Travel restrictions, however, could affect fans. U.S. bans prevent Iranian citizens from entering the country, raising questions about whether supporters will be able to attend in person.
