FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed confidence that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite escalating geopolitical tensions and the recent conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, Infantino insisted that Iran’s place at the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, should not be in doubt.
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“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” Infantino said, while expressing hope that the situation in the Middle East would stabilise before the competition begins.
He stressed that football should remain separate from political conflicts, backing Iran’s right to represent its people on the global stage.
“They really want to play, and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics,” he added, while acknowledging that such separation is not always entirely realistic.
The 2026 tournament will be the first in FIFA history to feature 48 teams, with Iraq among the nations to have secured qualification.
Iran are scheduled to play two group-stage matches in Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle, although the ongoing conflict has raised uncertainty over logistics and security.
Concerns have also been heightened by comments from Donald Trump, who has discouraged Iran’s participation, citing safety risks.
Infantino’s confidence stands in contrast to recent rhetoric from Washington. Addressing the broader context, he said: “We don’t live on the moon; we live on planet Earth. But if there’s nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them intact, we are doing that job.”
Despite the challenges, Infantino maintained that football can serve as a bridge in difficult times, reiterating FIFA’s commitment to inclusivity at the global showpiece