Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup — FIFA
He emphasized that international football should rise above political tensions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has put an end to all doubts regarding the participation of the Iranian national team in the 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, reports The Guardian.
It is reported that during his speech at the FIFA Congress, Infantino firmly confirmed that Iran will participate in the competition and play its matches on US soil. He emphasized that international football must rise above political tensions.
"Iran will definitely participate in the World Cup and play in the USA. Our task is to unite people through football," said the FIFA President.
At the same time, organizational issues related to the participation of the Iranian Football Federation delegation at the Congress in Canada were noted. Information spread that entry permits for some representatives were canceled or denied. The Canadian side conducted checks due to security concerns and the potential links of certain individuals to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Iranian national team is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage. If Iran and the USA finish second in their respective groups, they could meet in the playoff round.
US officials did not rule out the possibility that some federation representatives might face entry difficulties due to security checks. In particular, it was stated that additional investigations could be conducted regarding the security-related connections of certain individuals.
Infantino also provided information on record ticket sales for FIFA, the high demand for the tournament, and a significant increase in the organization's revenue. According to him, the demand for the 2026 World Cup is several times higher than for previous tournaments.
At the conclusion of the Congress, the FIFA leader officially announced that he would stand for re-election as president of the organization once his current term ends.
