Iran to play at World Cup as FIFA confirm matches will take place in US | OneFootball

Gianni Infantino insists Iran will compete as scheduled this summer following uncertainty caused by conflict

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will play at this summer’s World Cup finals in the United States as planned.

Iran sealed their place at football’s global tournament for the fourth time in a row by topping the table in the third round of Asian qualifying, but their participation became subject to severe doubt amid a conflict beginning in February that saw the United States and Israel launch airstrikes on the country.

US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times last week that he had suggested to President Trump and Infantino that Iran’s place be taken by four-time winners Italy, who failed to qualify for the third time in succession after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the European play-offs.

That has now been confirmed by FIFA president Infantino, who opened the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday by announcing: “Let me start at the outset by confirming straight away, for those who maybe want to say something else or write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.

“There are enough problems around the world. There are enough people who try to divide all over the world. If nobody tries to unite, what will happen to our world? We have to do it, and we have this opportunity.”

Asked about Infantino’s comments shortly afterwards in the Oval Office, President Trump told reporters: “Well, if Gianni said it, I'm OK. I think let 'em play.”

All three of Iran’s matches in Group G are set to be held in the US after a request to move them to Mexico did not succeed, with their first game scheduled against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 15.

They are due to face Belgium at the same venue on June 21, before rounding off their group campaign against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 26. Iran’s training base during the tournament will be in Tucson, Arizona.

There is more than one scenario whereby the US and Iran could play against each other in the round of 32 at the first expanded 48-team World Cup, having faced off in the group stage at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The two nations also met in a highly-charged fixture at the 1998 World Cup in France.

If both teams finish as runners-up in their respective groups, they would meet in a knockout match on July 3 in Arlington, Texas. The US, who automatically qualified as co-hosts, are in Group D, alongside Paraguay, Australia and Turkey.