FIFA expects Iran’s national football team will be able to travel to the United States and participate in the upcoming World Cup despite tensions between the two countries, reports AP.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Tuesday that he discussed tournament preparations with US President Donald Trump and received assurances that the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the United States to compete.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is scheduled to begin in about three months.
Iran is set to play its group-stage matches in the United States, opening against New Zealand in Inglewood, California on June 15. The team will then face Belgium on June 21 before concluding the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iranian officials had recently suggested their participation in the tournament could be uncertain because of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Infantino said he raised the issue during a meeting with Trump on Tuesday night.
“We also talked about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said, adding that Trump confirmed the team would be welcome to participate in the tournament in the United States.
Infantino and Trump have maintained a close relationship in recent years. Trump was previously awarded FIFA’s inaugural peace prize, an honour that some observers said appeared tailored for him.
Iranian fans, however, had earlier faced restrictions after being included in an initial version of a travel ban introduced by the Trump administration.
Infantino said global sporting events such as the World Cup play an important role in bringing people together, particularly during times of conflict, and thanked Trump for his support.
Earlier this week, FIFA World Cup chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said the tournament is too significant to be postponed due to global tensions linked to the ongoing US and Israeli conflict with Iran.
Schirgi said FIFA is closely monitoring developments but remains confident the tournament will proceed as planned.
“We are taking it day by day and hope there will be a resolution,” he said. “The World Cup is too big, and we hope all teams that have qualified will be able to participate.”
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
