FIFA Chief Details Donald Trump Discussion Over Iran’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Participation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that Donald Trump has assured football authorities that Iran’s national football team will be allowed to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, despite heightened geopolitical tensions following recent airstrikes and retaliatory actions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Donald Trump Says Iran ‘Welcome’ at 2026 FIFA World Cup Despite Rising Tensions

Despite the tensions, Infantino said Trump confirmed that Iran’s national team would be permitted to play in the tournament during a recent meeting discussing World Cup preparations.

“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.

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“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” he continued.

Infantino also emphasized the tournament’s unifying role, adding, “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”

Iran has already qualified for the tournament and is scheduled to play all three group-stage matches in the United States, one of the host nations alongside Canada and Mexico. There is also a possibility that Iran could face the United States men’s national team later in the competition. If both teams finish second in their respective groups, they could meet in the round of 32.

FIFA could remove the United States as a World Cup host if it refuses to allow Iran’s entry, similar to Indonesia losing hosting rights for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after opposing Israel’s participation.

FIFA relocated the event to Argentina to ensure all qualified teams could compete, emphasizing its rule that host nations must allow every qualified team to enter regardless of political tensions.

With just over three months until kickoff, organizers continue to prepare for what is expected to be the largest World Cup in history, featuring an expanded tournament format and matches spread across multiple North American host cities.