FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will play its 2026 World Cup matches in the United States as initially planned, despite the escalating conflict involving the US and Israel. Infantino’s assurance follows discussions within the Iranian football federation regarding possibly relocating the matches to Mexico due to safety concerns stemming from the conflict.

The Iranian football federation had expressed intentions to negotiate the relocation of their matches in light of the ongoing tensions. In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico is ready to host Iran’s matches. However, Infantino clarified that, according to the draw, the games will take place as scheduled in the United States, starting with Iran’s first Group G match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by games against Belgium on June 21 and Egypt on June 27.

Concerns Around Iran’s Participation

The conflict that erupted on February 28 had cast doubt on Iran’s participation in the tournament. Infantino, speaking during a friendly match between Iran and Costa Rica, reassured the public that Iran would be present at the World Cup. He mentioned his interactions with the team and emphasized their strong capabilities.

In an earlier comment, Infantino indicated that US President Donald Trump had assured that the Iranian team would be welcomed at the event. However, Trump later suggested that for their own safety, the team should not attend the tournament. This statement from Trump met with a strong rebuttal from Iranian officials, asserting that no entity could exclude Iran from competing in the World Cup.

FIFA’s Commitment and Broader Goals

On March 19, Infantino reiterated FIFA’s dedication to ensuring the World Cup runs as planned, emphasizing that all teams are expected to participate. He stressed FIFA’s role, saying while it cannot resolve geopolitical disputes, it is committed to utilising the World Cup to promote peace and mutual respect through football.

Recently, Iran’s national team played a friendly match against Nigeria. During this match, players donned black armbands and honored the victims of a tragic airstrike on a primary school in Iran, which occurred on February 28, resulting in the loss of at least 170 lives, including students and teachers. Initial findings from a US military investigation suggest that the airstrike was a result of a targeting error involving a US cruise missile.

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