FIFA President Confirms Iran's Participation in the 2026 World Cup: Where the Team Will Play 0 7

According to Infantino, there is no doubt about Iran's participation in the tournament:

“Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and, of course, will play in the USA. We must unite people - this is our common responsibility.”

This statement effectively put an end to discussions that have been actively held in recent months regarding the participation of the Iranian national team.

The situation surrounding the Iranian team has become complicated amid geopolitical tensions. The possibility of the team withdrawing from participation was previously discussed, as well as the option of moving matches to Mexico, and there were statements from Iranian officials about uncertainty.

According to Western media, the main issues could have been visa restrictions and political factors, considering the relations between the USA and Iran.

However, FIFA consistently maintains the position that sports should remain outside of politics.

Where Iran Will Play

The Iranian national team has been placed in Group G, where it will face Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. Matches are scheduled to be held in Inglewood (California) and Seattle. Both cities are among the key venues for the tournament.

The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be historic for several reasons:

• For the first time, 48 teams will participate

• Matches will be held in three countries - the USA, Canada, and Mexico

This will be the largest World Cup in the history of football.

The situation with Iran has once again raised the question of how possible it is to separate sports from politics. Experts note that the participation of teams from countries with strained relations with the host country always comes with additional challenges - from logistics to security.

Nevertheless, FIFA traditionally emphasizes its mission: to use football as a tool for unity.