FIFA president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump has told him that Iran will be allowed to play in this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026.
Infantino shared the update in a post on Instagram. He said he met Trump on Tuesday to talk about plans for the World Cup. The tournament will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico and will start on 11 June.
Infantino said they also talked about the current situation in Iran.
Iran’s place in the tournament became uncertain after the United States and Israel carried out attacks in Iran earlier this month. The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran later fired missiles and drones toward Israel and several Gulf countries that host US military bases. These countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Infantino said Trump made it clear that the Iranian team would still be allowed to play.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino said.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the president of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”
Iran are set to play three matches in the United States. They will face New Zealand national football team and Belgium national football team in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June. They will then play Egypt national football team in Seattle on 26 June.
Last week Trump told Politico that he did not care if Iran played in the World Cup.
Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj said the recent attacks have changed how people feel about the event.
“What is certain is that after these attacks, it’s hard to look at the World Cup with hope.”
Meanwhile, Australia granted six humanitarian visas to members of Iran’s women’s football team because of safety concerns.
The rest of the squad left Australia on Tuesday after they were knocked out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said seven people were first granted asylum. One player later decided to return home.
