The FIFA chief reiterated his views on Iran’s participation, saying: “The players want to participate in the tournament.”
Published April 16, 2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed confidence that Iran will take part in the World Cup despite Iran’s sports minister saying it cannot take part during the country’s war with the United States and Israel, while President Donald Trump has also expressed concern for the “life and safety” of the players.
Infantino reiterated his views on Iran’s participation on Wednesday, saying his team would “definitely” travel to the United States.
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The United States and Israel’s war against Iran is currently in the midst of a two-week cease-fire brokered by Pakistan, but Iranian authorities have repeatedly called for the team’s games to be moved from the United States to Mexico, which along with Canada is two of the three World Cup host countries.
However, FIFA and its president Infantino ruled out a move, citing logistical hurdles and pledging the safety of Iranian players and staff.
“The Iranian team will definitely come,” Infantino told US business news outlet CNBC.
The head of FIFA, who has close ties to US President Donald Trump, said “Iran must come” to the tournament, despite the April 22 deadline for the ceasefire.
“Of course, we hope that by then the situation will be peaceful,” Infantino said of the war. “Like I said, it will definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course they represent the people. They are eligible. The players want to play.”
Infantino recently traveled to Antalya, Turkiye, to accompany the Iranian national team to their training camp, and said the team hopes to participate in the World Cup.
“They (Iranian players) should play. Sports should be outside politics,” Infantino said.
“Okay, we don’t live on the moon. We live on Earth. But if no one else believes in building bridges and keeping bridges intact and keeping them together, we (FIFA) are doing it.”
Iran, one of the first teams to qualify for the World Cup, will play all three group stage games on the West Coast of the United States.
Team Melli are scheduled to open the season against New Zealand on June 15th and then face Belgium on June 21st, with both games to be played in Los Angeles. On June 26, Iran will play against Egypt in Seattle.
If Iran advances to the finals, the rest of its games will also be held in the United States.
