Will Iran participate in the 2026 World Cup? Trump responds

Trump: No objection to Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup

Donald Trump confirmed that he has no objection to the Iranian national team participating in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States in partnership with Canada and Mexico.

Trump made this statement during a talk with reporters in the Oval Office, saying: "If Gianni (Infantino) said that, then I have no objection," adding: "I think we should let them play."

Infantino confirms Iran's participation and matches in America

For his part, Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, emphasized that Iran will participate normally in the 2026 World Cup, confirming that they will play their matches on American soil.

This came during his speech at the FIFA Congress held in Vancouver, where he said: "Iran will of course participate in the 2026 World Cup, and of course, they will play in the United States."

Controversy over Iran's participation due to political tensions

Iran's participation in the tournament had previously raised a state of ambiguity, especially after the outbreak of war in the Middle East in February, following strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, raising questions about the possibility of the Iranian team participating in the tournament partially held in America.

Refusal to move Iran's matches to Mexico

Amid these tensions, Iranian officials proposed moving their team's group stage matches to Mexico instead of the United States, but the FIFA president rejected this proposal, affirming full commitment to the official tournament schedule.

Cancellation of the Iranian delegation's participation in the FIFA Congress

In another development, the Iranian delegation canceled its participation in the FIFA Congress, justifying this by what it described as "humiliating behavior" by immigration authorities at Toronto airport, according to Iranian media reports, which intensified the controversy surrounding the tournament.

Proposal to replace Iran and a welcoming American stance

Recently, reports emerged indicating that U.S. special envoy Paolo Zamboli proposed Italy's participation instead of Iran, but the U.S. government quickly denied this suggestion.

In this context, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the Iranian national team players would be welcomed in the United States.

Iran's match schedule in the 2026 World Cup

According to the official schedule, Iran is set to play its three matches in Group G on American soil, facing New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, then Belgium on June 21 in the same city, before concluding its matches against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The Iranian national team is also expected to hold its training camp in Tucson, Arizona.