LOS ANGELES — FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he was relieved that Iran would participate in the 2026 World Cup despite months of uncertainty caused by the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, as the tournament opened this week across North America.
Speaking ahead of Iran’s opening match, Infantino reiterated that FIFA had worked to ensure the qualified team could compete as scheduled. Iran’s participation had been questioned earlier this year amid security concerns, visa disputes and diplomatic tensions linked to the conflict. However, the team ultimately received the necessary approvals to travel and compete in the tournament.
“Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino said during previous remarks on the issue, adding that he was “very happy” after meeting the team and its coaching staff. He said FIFA’s position throughout the process was that qualified teams should be allowed to participate in the competition.
The FIFA president had repeatedly defended Iran’s inclusion despite calls from some activists and members of the Iranian diaspora to exclude the country from the tournament. Demonstrators in Los Angeles earlier this week urged FIFA to remove Iran, arguing that the national team had become associated with the country’s political leadership. FIFA has not indicated any intention to reconsider Iran’s participation.
Iran qualified for the World Cup through the Asian qualifying competition and was among the earliest teams to secure a place in the expanded 48-team tournament. FIFA rejected requests to move Iran’s group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, maintaining that the original competition schedule would remain in place.
The path to the tournament was complicated by visa issues involving several Iranian football officials. While players and most team staff received permission to enter the United States, some federation officials were unable to obtain visas before the tournament began, according to Iranian authorities and international media reports. The team established its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, before traveling to the United States for matches.
Infantino has consistently argued that football should remain separate from political disputes. “Sports should be outside of politics,” he said during remarks in April while discussing Iran’s participation. He also said FIFA viewed the tournament as an opportunity to maintain dialogue and international engagement despite broader geopolitical tensions.
Iran is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Tournament organizers said preparations for those fixtures were proceeding under enhanced security measures implemented across World Cup venues in the United States.
As of Friday, Iran remained in the competition and was preparing for its opening match, while FIFA officials said the tournament schedule would proceed as planned.
