FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Thursday that Iran’s national soccer team will compete in the 2026 World Cup, where all group stage matches will take place in the United States.
This decision is likely to stir political conversations surrounding the event.
During his remarks at the FIFA World Congress held in Vancouver, Canada, Infantino emphasized, “Let me confirm first. For those who want to say something else or write something else, of course Iran will be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And of course Iran will be playing in the United States.”
His announcement comes amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly following a U.S.-Israel operation that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei earlier this year.
Despite earlier doubts about a possible change in venue, the schedule remains intact. Iran’s first match will be against New Zealand on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by another game against Belgium on June 21, also at SoFi Stadium.
The team is slated to conclude the group stage in Seattle against Egypt on June 26 at Lumen Field.
Even though the matchups are set, political issues are already surfacing. Canadian officials recently denied entry to an Iranian soccer delegation, including federation president Mehdi Taj, ahead of the FIFA General Assembly due to Canada’s stance on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is classified as a terrorist entity by Canada.
FIFA acknowledged the situation but reiterated that the host country manages its own border policies.
Holding the Iran match on the West Coast, particularly in Los Angeles—home to the largest Iranian community outside the Middle East—is anticipated to draw significant attention.
Ultimately, Iran’s presence in the World Cup presents a real-time examination of how international politics influences one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
