Despite an escalating military conflict between the United States and Iran, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump has personally assured him that Iran’s national football team is free to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Infantino disclosed the development following a meeting with Trump, during which they discussed preparations for the upcoming tournament co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada set to kick off in just over 90 days.
The conflict, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, had thrown Iran’s participation into serious doubt, with the summer tournament jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The uncertainty deepened when Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta, Georgia. Adding to the turbulence, Trump had earlier stated he “really didn’t care” whether Iran participated, making Infantino’s latest announcement a notable shift in tone.
Infantino, who enjoys a close relationship with Trump the recipient of FIFA’s inaugural peace prize posted his assurances on Instagram, saying the World Cup is needed “now more than ever” to bring people together, and thanking the president for his support. The statement marked the first time Infantino publicly acknowledged the ongoing war in the Middle East with all of Iran’s group stage games scheduled to be played on US soil.
The announcement comes amid a broader wave of uncertainty surrounding Iran’s footballing community. At the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, several Iranian players including team captain Zahra Ghanbari sought asylum after slipping away from their team hotel, with some having been branded “wartime traitors” by Iranian state television.
While diplomatic and security questions remain far from resolved, FIFA’s message from the White House offers at least a tentative path forward for Iran’s men’s team ahead of the summer showpiece.
