FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated Iran's men's national soccer team would be welcome to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, despite ongoing Middle East tensions. Infantino detailed the conversation in an Instagram post on Tuesday following a meeting with Trump.

In the post, Infantino described discussions on World Cup preparations and Iran's participation, noting the team had qualified for the tournament. He quoted Trump as saying the Iranian team was "of course, welcome to compete."

Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday that no squad would be sent to the event. Donyamali told state television: "Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," according to Reuters.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, marking the first edition expanded to 48 teams.[1][2]

Iran qualified for the tournament by topping Group A in the AFC third-round qualifiers on October 15, 2024, alongside Uzbekistan.[3][4] The official draw is scheduled for December 2025.

Infantino emphasised football's unifying role, stating: "We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever."

Sources

1. FIFA, "FIFA World Cup 2026™", ongoing (accessed November 2024), https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026
2. Associated Press, "2026 World Cup", ongoing (accessed November 2024), https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup-2026
3. FIFA, "South Korea, Iran and Uzbekistan book their places at FIFA World Cup 2026™", 15 October 2024, https://inside.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/article/iran-uzbekistan-south-korea-book-their-place-at-fifa-world-cup-26-as-afc-qualifiers-hit-matchday-10
4. ESPN, "Iran, Uzbekistan qualify for 2026 World Cup from Asian Football Confederation", 15 October 2024, https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42036394/iran-uzbekistan-qualify-2026-world-cup-south-koreaafc-third-round