FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, despite Iranian officials being denied entry to the annual FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada.
Infantino emphasized football’s power to unite people across geopolitical divides, stating that Iran “will be participating” in the tournament. The Iranian delegation, led by Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, was reportedly turned back at the Canadian border due to immigration issues. Canadian officials cited the country’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and its long-standing lack of diplomatic relations with Iran.
Iran is drawn in a group with New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, with its opening match scheduled for June 15, 2026, in Los Angeles against New Zealand. The team had requested to play all group-stage matches in Mexico due to tensions with the U.S. and Israel, but FIFA has upheld the original schedule.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for Infantino’s decision, saying, “If Gianni said it, I’m OK. Let ’em play,” despite earlier safety concerns.
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