FIFA President Confirms Iran’s Participation in 2026 World Cup
On a recent broadcast, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confidently announced that Iran is set to attend the 2026 World Cup, despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. He stated, “Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful situation, that would definitely help,” emphasizing the importance of peace for the upcoming international event.
Infantino highlighted the significance of Iran’s participation, noting that the team represents their nation and has qualified for the tournament. “The players want to play,” he added, referring to Iran’s matches scheduled in the United States this June.
The prospect of Iran competing in the global competition had been uncertain due to escalating conflict with the United States and Israel, which intensified on February 28 of this year. Infantino, however, argued for the separation of sports from politics. “Sports should be outside of politics,” he asserted, reinforcing FIFA’s commitment to inclusivity.
He continued by expressing FIFA’s role in promoting unity: “If there’s nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we are doing the job,” reiterating the organization’s dedication to fostering international ties through sports.
The World Cup, a momentous occasion in football, is set to take place from June 11, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
