FIFA chief Gianni Infantino confirms Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation, ending uncertainty after Congress absence and geopolitical tensions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivers a speech after the opening ceremony before the Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu/IANS)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, despite recent geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over their involvement.
Infantino made the clarification during his opening address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, where Iran was notably absent.
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“I should say, confirming straight away for those who maybe want to say something else or want to write something else, that of course Iran will be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. And the reason for that is very simple, dear friends, because we have to unite,” said Infantino on Thursday.
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The FIFA president also underlined football’s role in fostering unity amid global divisions.
“We have to bring people together. It is my responsibility, it is our responsibility. Football unites the world, FIFA unites the world, you unite the world, we unite the world. And we always have to remember to be positive.
“We have to be smiling, we have to be happy. There are enough problems around the world; there are enough people who try to divide all over the world. If nobody tries to unite, what will happen to our world? We have to do it, and we have this opportunity, we have it at the FIFA Congress, we have it with the FIFA Series, we have it, of course, with the FIFA World Cup, we have it with the power and the magic of all of you united because together we are unbeatable,” said the FIFA president.
Iran’s participation had been in doubt after reports suggested the country might boycott matches in the United States following tensions involving Israel and the United States.
The uncertainty deepened when officials from the Iran Football Federation, including president Mehdi Taj, did not attend the Congress. Iran was the only one among FIFA’s 211 member associations absent from the event.
Reports indicated the delegation was turned back at border control, while Canadian authorities were said to have revoked their entry permissions.
Despite the situation, FIFA’s stance confirms that all qualified teams, including Iran, are expected to participate in the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026.
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