FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup, dismissing speculation that the nation could be excluded and replaced by Italy.
The tournament, set to be hosted across United States, Canada and Mexico, has been overshadowed by concerns about Iran’s involvement due to ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. Questions had been raised over whether Iran would be able to participate, particularly as some of their scheduled matches are due to be played on American soil.
Speaking at FIFA’s congress in Vancouver, Infantino addressed the issue directly, making clear that Iran’s place in the competition is not in doubt. Iran was notably the only country absent from the gathering.
“Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said (via Football Italia).The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”
His remarks appear to put an end to speculation that Iran might withdraw or be excluded from the tournament. Such a scenario had prompted discussion about potential replacements, with Italy widely considered the most likely candidate due to its ranking among teams that failed to qualify.
The possibility of Italy being recalled gained traction earlier this week after comments from Donald Trump’s special envoy, Paolo Zampolli. Zampolli suggested that Italy had “more than a 50 per cent chance” of being reinstated if Iran did not participate.
However, many figures within Italian football have reportedly rejected the idea of entering the tournament under such circumstances, indicating a preference to qualify on merit rather than through a late administrative decision.
The 2026 World Cup is due to begin on 11 June, with Iran’s fixtures already scheduled. They are set to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, before taking on Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
Despite the political sensitivities surrounding Iran’s participation, FIFA’s stance underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the competition and ensuring that qualified teams are able to compete.
Infantino’s comments also reflect a broader message about the role of football on the global stage, positioning the tournament as an opportunity to foster unity despite international tensions.
