Iran national football team (Photo Reuters) FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, stressing that football must remain separate from politics. Speaking at an economic conference hosted by CNBC on Wednesday, Infantino said: “Iran will definitely come. We hope the situation will be peaceful by then, that would definitely help.” “But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play,” he added, with the team’s upcoming matches scheduled for June in the United States. Iran’s participation has been thrown into uncertainty following the conflict between the United States and Israel earlier this year. The team even considered a boycott and requested that their matches be moved from the United States, which FIFA ultimately refused. The Asian side is scheduled to play Group G matches in the United States, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, while being based in Tucson, Arizona during the tournament.Tensions escalated after the February 28 conflict, which was followed by weeks of airstrikes and reprisals. Although a fragile cease-fire took effect on April 8, geopolitical tensions remain, including restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and US-imposed naval measures on Iranian ports.Infantino made similar comments in March while attending a friendly between Iran and Costa Rica in Antalya, Turkey, although US President Donald Trump had previously suggested that Iranian players may not be “safe” in the United States.Despite this situation, Infantino reiterated FIFA’s stance on keeping sport above political conflicts. “Sports should be out of politics.” “If no one else believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we do,” he said. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and is scheduled to begin on June 11.
