FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he received assurances from US president Donald Trump that Iran will be permitted to enter the United States and compete at the 2026 football World Cup.
Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday evening “to discuss the progress of preparations” for the tournament, which begins in around three months, and received guarantees regarding Iran despite the ongoing war between the two countries.
“We spoke about the current situation in Iran and about the fact that the Iranian national team has qualified to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the FIFA chief said.
Iran qualified for the World Cup through the Asian Football Confederation and was placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt, with all three of their matches scheduled to be played in the US — two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
The US will co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iranian authorities had recently suggested the country’s participation in the World Cup was in doubt due to the war.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian national team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said.
The FIFA president has a close relationship with Trump, who received the organisation’s Peace Award from Infantino in December. Iranian fans had already been barred from entering the US under the first version of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration.
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“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever,” Infantino said, adding that he is grateful for the US leader’s support.
On February 28, the day Iranian territory began to be bombed by the US and Israel, FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafström said the organisation would monitor developments. “We held the final draw in Washington with all teams present, and our focus is on holding a safe World Cup with all teams in attendance,” he said, adding that all parties would be safe — referring to Canada, the US and Mexico as the three host nations.
