Iran Will Play at U.S. World Cup, Infantino Confirms

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on April 15, 2026 that Iran is "coming for sure" to the 2026 World Cup, confirming the team will keep its place in the tournament despite political and security questions around the conflict involving the United States, according to AP and FIFA’s own recap of his remarks. The decision keeps Iran on the published tournament path ahead of the World Cup’s June 11, 2026 opening.

Key developments

• Infantino made the comment at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum in Washington. FIFA later reiterated on its official website that Iran is still expected in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
• Iran’s place in the field is not new: the team officially qualified on March 25, 2025 through Asian qualifying. What changed this week is the public clarity from FIFA’s president after doubts over whether the geopolitical situation could disrupt travel or participation.
• The match schedule also remains intact. AP reported Iran is set for two group-stage games in Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle, while FIFA’s match pages list an opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 and a later meeting with Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
• Earlier comments had left room for uncertainty. AP reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had discouraged Iran from attending over safety concerns, while Infantino said he had recently visited the Iranian team in Antalya and came away convinced the players still wanted to compete.

What to watch

The next meaningful update is likely to be operational rather than competitive. Based on the issues highlighted by AP and FIFA, the pressure points now appear to be security planning, travel procedures and coordination between FIFA, host cities and governments, not a redraw of the field.

For now, the confirmed status is straightforward: Iran remains in the 48-team tournament, remains in Group G and remains on the published U.S. schedule. Unless FIFA or a host authority announces a concrete procedural change, the immediate story is no longer whether Iran is in the World Cup, but whether organizers can deliver the tournament conditions FIFA is publicly betting on.

Sources

• Japan Today: Iran participating in World Cup, FIFA president confirms
• AP: FIFA president Infantino says Iran will participate in World Cup ‘for sure’ despite war
• FIFA: Gianni Infantino lauds potential impact of FIFA World Cup 2026 at Washington DC forum
• FIFA: Iran qualify as Kyrgyz Republic, UAE grab lifelines
• FIFA: Final Draw results