Gianni Infantino said the Iranian team is coming to the United States for the 2026 World Cup "for sure." Iran's Minister of Sports and Youth, Donyamali, said Iran cannot participate amid the war with the United States and Israel. Infantino also said FIFA will not move Iran's matches to Mexico, leaving Iran's participation and safety guarantees as the decisive issues for the world cup 2026.
Gianni Infantino's Remarks on Iran
"The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes," Infantino said, adding "Iran has to come" and that "they have qualified" and "the players want to play." He said he recently visited the Iranian team at its training camp in Antalya, Turkiye and added, "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation." Infantino's statements also specify that FIFA and he have ruled out relocating Iran's matches from the United States to Mexico.
Donyamali on Player Safety
Donyamali tied any participation to Tehran's internal security process and to guarantees for players. "our responsibility is to fulfill our legal obligations and maintain the team’s readiness," he said, and he told officials a special task force has been formed to assess the situation surrounding Iran's national team. The minister said an overseas training camp is planned within the next three weeks and that the camp and any participation in international competitions depend on guarantees for player safety.
Iran's Schedule and the Sticking Point
Iran is scheduled to play all three group-stage games on the U.S. West Coast: June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, June 21 against Belgium in Los Angeles, and June 26 against Egypt in Seattle. If Iran advances, the rest of its matches would also be held in the United States. Iranian officials have repeatedly requested moving the team's games to Mexico; FIFA has said relocation is not possible because of logistical impediments, narrowing the dispute to safety assurances and Tehran's final internal ruling.
Donald Trump voiced concerns for the players' "life and safety," underscoring why Donyamali says the Supreme National Security Council must weigh in. Will the Supreme National Security Council rule to allow travel and issue the safety guarantees Donyamali said the camp and participation depend on before the overseas training camp within three weeks?
