United States President Donald Trump has confirmed he supports Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on American soil, aligning himself with a definitive declaration by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino that the Iranian national team will compete in the United States despite the ongoing military conflict between the two countries.
Speaking at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday, Infantino opened his address by confirming Iran’s participation without equivocation. “Of course, Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he said. “And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”
Shortly afterward, Trump echoed the position. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the President said: “If Gianni said it, I’m OK. You know what? Let them play.” The administration has granted specific exceptions to the standing travel ban on Iranian nationals to allow athletes and sporting officials to enter the country for the tournament.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said the previous week that Washington had no objections to Iranian players competing, though he stipulated that individuals with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would not be permitted entry.
The confirmation came on a day marked by diplomatic complications. Iranian Football Federation officials, including federation President Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the congress but turned back at Toronto’s airport after Tehran described what it called unacceptable behaviour by Canadian immigration authorities, despite the delegation holding valid visas. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that IRGC members are prohibited from entering Canada and said the screenings had been applied appropriately.
Iran had previously asked FIFA to relocate its group matches from the United States to Mexico, but the request was rejected. Iran is scheduled to open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, with further Group G matches against Belgium on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 to a final on July 19. The tournament structure creates the possibility of an Iran versus United States match in the Round of 32, should both nations finish second in their respective groups.
Infantino framed Iran’s inclusion as consistent with football’s broader mission. “We have to unite. We have to bring people together. It is my responsibility. It is our responsibility,” he said. “Football unites the world. FIFA unites the world.”
