Arabic version: الفيفا يؤكد أن إيران ستشارك في كأس العالم 2026 في الولايات المتحدة

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup games at venues in the United States, despite ongoing conflicts involving the country. Earlier this month, the Iranian football federation expressed intentions to negotiate the relocation of its matches to Mexico due to the US and Israel’s war with Iran.

Infantino stated, “The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.” This assurance comes as Iranian officials seek to address concerns regarding the safety of their national team amidst the geopolitical turmoil.

Iran’s first Group G match is scheduled for June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, followed by games against Belgium and Egypt in the same city and Seattle, respectively. The World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, begins on June 11.

Infantino emphasized FIFA’s commitment to ensuring all teams participate in the tournament. He remarked, “FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the World Cup to build bridges and promote peace.”

The Iranian team recently played a friendly match against Costa Rica in Turkey, where they honored the victims of a tragic airstrike in Iran that occurred on the first day of the Middle East war. This strike resulted in significant casualties, including students and teachers, sparking outrage and condemnation from Iranian officials.

According to Al Jazeera, Infantino’s statements aim to reassure not only the Iranian team but also fans worldwide about the integrity of the upcoming tournament.