Iran to play in U.S. at 2026 World Cup - FIFA
Protests near the Vancouver Convention Centre during the 76th FIFA congress (Photo: REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the Iran national football team will play in the 2026 World Cup, with some matches taking place in the United States, CNN reported on April 30.
Speaking at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed that Iran will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and play football matches in the United States, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Infantino confirmed that Iran will not only be participating in the world cup, but will also play in the United States. He noted that football should bring people together instead of becoming a pulpit for political confrontation.
Iran was the only one of FIFA’s 211 member associations not represented at the congress, CNN reported. Its delegates chose not to attend following reports that one member of their group was denied entry into Canada.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation, stating that he does not object to Iran’s participation if that was the position expressed by FIFA’s president.
According to the CNN report, the Iranian national team is scheduled to play two group stage matches in Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle. The team’s first match against New Zealand is scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles.
Although Iran is not in the same group as the U.S. team, the two teams could face each other in the playoffs. The earliest possible matchup could take place on July 3, a day before U.S. Independence Day, in Arlington, Texas.
Trump's special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, earlier offered FIFA that Iran be replaced by Italy, which failed to qualify for the tournament. Italy called this initiative unacceptable and noted that FIFA rules must be followed.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stated that Washington did not ban Iran from participating in the World Cup. At the same time, he suggested that the U.S. might deny entry to certain members of the Iranian delegation if they have ties to the IRGC.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
