FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said that it is “of course” that Iran will participate in the World Cup matches in the United States. He said this during a meeting of the football governing body’s congress in Vancouver, Canada, which was held without the Iranian delegation following an incident at the airport after its arrival.
“Let me start from the beginning. Of course Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said on 30 April.
“And the reason for that is very simple: we have to unite. It’s my responsibility, our responsibility.”
US President Donald Trump has said he is “fine” with Iran playing at the world’s most popular sporting event.
“Well, if Gianni said it, then I agree. Gianni said that….you know what? Let them play. Well, Gianni is fantastic, he’s my friend. He talked about it,” Trump told reporters.
Iranian Football Federation officials, including president Mehdi Taj, were scheduled to attend the congress but returned to Toronto airport after what Tehran called “unacceptable behaviour” by Canadian immigration authorities.
Taj is a former member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Canadian officials said entry decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and individuals linked to the Quir, which Canada defines as a terrorist organisation, would not be allowed to enter the country.
Iran has qualified for the World Cup, which will be held from 11 June to 18 July in North America. The team was scheduled to play three group stage matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in US cities – the first two in Inglewood, California, and the third in Seattle.
Tehran’s participation in the tournament is in doubt because of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Tehran has requested alternative venues for the matches in the US, but the request was rejected.