FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will play its 2026 World Cup fixtures in the United States as originally scheduled, despite ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.
Earlier this month, the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (IRIFF) had said it was “negotiating” with FIFA to move the matches to Mexico for safety reasons. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also offered her country as a potential host for Iran’s first-round games if required.
“The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw,” Infantino said on Tuesday during Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkiye.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by the US, Mexico, and Canada, will kick off on 11 June. Iran’s first Group G game is against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June. They are then set to face Belgium, also in Los Angeles, on 21 June, before playing Egypt in Seattle on 27 June.
Infantino sought to reassure fans and officials that Iran’s participation in the tournament remains secure. “Iran will be at the World Cup … That’s why we’re here,” he said. “They are a very strong team. I’ve seen the players, spoken to the coach, and everything is fine.”
Infantino’s attendance at the friendly in Turkiye was unannounced. Earlier, he had cited assurances from then-US President Donald Trump that the Iranian team would be welcome. However, Trump later suggested that Iran should not travel for “their own life and safety,” prompting a strong response from Iran, which said no nation could bar its national team from the tournament.
FIFA has reiterated its commitment to holding the World Cup “as scheduled” with all teams participating in the spirit of fair play and mutual respect. Infantino acknowledged that football cannot resolve geopolitical conflicts, but added that the World Cup can be a tool to build bridges and promote peace.
Iran played another friendly against Nigeria on 28 March in Belek, Turkiye. The players wore black armbands and held school rucksacks to commemorate victims of an airstrike on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, on 28 February, which killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers. Preliminary US military reports indicate the strike may have been caused by a targeting error involving a Tomahawk missile.
