Infantino Confirms Iran to Play in US for 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made new statements about Iran's situation heading to the 2026 World Cup, after it was confirmed that the Asian team must play its matches on U.S. soil. This comes after the rejection of the Iranian team's request to move their group stage matches to Mexico. In this context, the leader explained the outlook for Iran at the 2026 World Cup and made it clear that FIFA maintains its position of guaranteeing their participation under the already established conditions. What did Infantino say about Iran and their 2026 World Cup matches? During his visit to Mexico, where he attended the inauguration of the Banorte Stadium and witnessed the friendly match between Mexico and Portugal, Infantino addressed the issue of Iran in an interview with N+. "We live in reality and we know the very complicated situation of the Iranian team, but we are working and we are going to make sure they play their World Cup matches in the best possible conditions," he declared. The head of FIFA emphasized that Iran qualified "early and on sporting merit," so the international football governing body seeks to respect that achievement. "There are no plans B, C, or D, only plan A," he stated, while explaining that it is based on "the search for harmony and happiness." "We live in a complex geopolitical context, we do not have the possibility to solve them, but we do have the opportunity to unite, to create opportunities for the world to come together in an atmosphere of peace, of celebration," the leader added, referring to the role of football as a global meeting point. Why doesn't Iran want to play its 2026 World Cup matches in the U.S.? Iran's stance on its 2026 World Cup matches, all scheduled in the United States, is not only a response to the political context between the two nations but also to statements from former President Donald Trump, who said he did not advise the Iranian team to visit the tournament because he "could not guarantee their security," despite having previously expressed a welcoming posture. In this scenario, the Asian team requested FIFA to change the venue for their group stage commitments to Mexico; however, the request was denied by the world's football governing body. For now, uncertainty remains over Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup, amid geopolitical tensions that could influence their presence in the international tournament. Gianni Infantino visits Mexico The Swiss-Italian Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, stated that being in Mexico is special because in some way the country "invented football," as in pre-Hispanic times a game with a ball was already being played, over 3,000 years ago. "Being here to kick off the World Cup is special, football was invented here," said Infantino, while presiding over the inauguration of the "Epic Album" exhibition at the Yancuic museum, located in the Iztapalapa borough. At the event, Mexico City Head of Government Clara Brugada was present, and together with Infantino, she celebrated the enthusiasm in the country ahead of the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will kick off at the Ciudad de México Stadium (Banorte) with a match between the Mexican team led by Javier Aguirre and the South African team. "Mexico hosted two special World Cups, where Brazil and Argentina won with Pelé and Maradona; also, the 'match of the century' between Italy and Germany was played here, and it was here that Manuel Negrete scored his great goal," he mentioned about a goal scored in the 1986 World Cup. Infantino recalled that football brings joy to millions of fans around the world and Mexico is a country very linked to happiness through football. In addition to his visit to Mexico City, this week the FIFA President attended the 2026 World Cup playoff matches won by Bolivia over Suriname, in Monterrey; and by Jamaica over New Caledonia, in Guadalajara.