FIFA chief says Iran ‘coming for sure’ to World Cup in U.S.

FIFA Confirms Iran Will Play 2026 World Cup Matches in the United States

FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared on Wednesday that Iran’s national soccer team is “coming for sure” to the 2026 World Cup, where all three of the country’s group-stage matches are scheduled on U.S. soil despite an ongoing armed conflict between Washington and Tehran.cnbc

Infantino’s Assurance at D.C. Forum

Speaking with CNBC’s Sara Eisen at the network’s second annual Invest in America Forum in Washington, D.C., Infantino sought to put to rest weeks of uncertainty over whether Iran would participate in the tournament, which kicks off June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The declaration marked his most definitive statement yet on Iran’s involvement, building on comments he made to AFP in late March at a friendly match in Turkey, where he said, “Iran will be at the World Cup,” and that matches would be “played where they’re meant to be, as per the draw.”yahoo

Iran is drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. The team’s schedule has it opening against New Zealand on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, followed by a match against Belgium at the same venue on June 21, and a final group game against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 26.bbc

A Request Denied

The road to Infantino’s confirmation has been turbulent. Iran’s football federation had sought to have its matches relocated to co-host Mexico, with federation president Mehdi Taj stating in March, “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.” Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum initially expressed openness to hosting the games, but confirmed last week that FIFA had rejected the proposal. “FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” Sheinbaum said. “It would make logistics too complicated.”sportbible

Lingering Uncertainty

Despite Infantino’s confidence, questions remain about whether Iran will ultimately board the plane. In early March, Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that participation was “not possible,” citing the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S. airstrikes. “Given the wicked acts they have done against Iran, it is certainly not feasible for us to participate in the World Cup,” he said. President Trump has sent mixed signals of his own, writing on Truth Social in March that Iran’s team is “welcome to the World Cup” while adding, “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”espn

Infantino, for his part, has framed the matter in stark terms, telling Univision last month, “There is no plan B, C, or D — there is only plan A.”yahoo