Iran are part of the confirmed 48-team field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and while earlier uncertainty had surrounded their participation due to security concerns over playing in the United States, Iran’s government now says the country is fully prepared for the tournament.The latest update comes after Iran’s Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali addressed the situation following comments from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who said: “The Iranian team is coming for sure.”
FIFA’s position and how the tournament is structured
Gianni Infantino, the president of world football’s governing body FIFA, addressed the issue on April 15 at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, confirming that Iran will take part in the tournament.“The Iranian team is coming for sure,” he said, expressing hope that “by then, the situation will be peaceful.”Infantino emphasized that the players deserve to compete, noting that they “represent their people” and have earned their place. “They really want to play, and they should play,” he added, reiterating his view that sport should remain separate from politics.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino follows a friendly soccer match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Riza Ozel)
That position aligns with how the tournament has been set up. The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. Of those, 78 will be played in the United States, including every match from the quarter-finals onwards and the final at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Canada and Mexico will host 13 matches each, with a total of 16 venues across the three countries — 11 in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Why Iran’s match locations have become an issue
Because the United States is hosting the majority of games, Iran’s entire group-stage schedule is currently set there. They are in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with matches planned for the US West Coast. As it stands, Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand on June 16 at SoFi Stadium in California, Belgium at the same venue on June 21, and Egypt on June 27 at Lumen Field in Seattle. If they progress, any knockout matches would also be played in the US, given how the bracket is structured.
Iran’s players pose for photographer prior a friendly soccer match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Riza Ozel)
This is what led Iran’s football federation to formally request a change. Federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed that discussions with FIFA included the possibility of moving those matches to Mexico if security guarantees could not be ensured.
Request to move matches and FIFA’s response
Mexico indicated it was open to hosting Iran’s fixtures, but the request did not lead to any change. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed in a news conference in Mexico City that FIFA rejected the proposal. “FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” she said. “It would make logistics too complicated, and this decision was taken by FIFA.” That decision effectively locked Iran’s matches into the United States under the current schedule.
US president’s remarks and Infantino’s stance
The situation has also been shaped by comments from US president Donald Trump. On March 11, 2026, he posted on Truth Social in response to reports of Iran potentially skipping the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid rising US–Iran tensions, saying Iran were “welcome” to attend but also suggesting they should stay away “for their own life and safety.”Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino has stuck to his position. After meeting Iranian players, coaches and officials in Turkey on March 31, he reiterated that the matches would go ahead as planned.
Iran government’s position
Within Iran, the approach has shifted from caution to clearer preparation. Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali previously told reporters on Tuesday, April 21, that discussions were ongoing through a committee process.“We had a discussion about the national team itself, the conditions of the national team, and we also formed a committee,” he said. “Today we also have a meeting within the framework of this discussion, and we are fulfilling our legal duty.”He added that both participation and non-participation were still on the table: “We must be prepared. In any case, it might be decided not to go. And if it is decided to go, we should be prepared anyway, so that our presence, if it is to be, is a strong presence.” He also noted that the final decision would depend on “the conditions that exist today, with the government and probably the National Security Council.”However, a fresh update suggests a more settled direction. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Wednesday in a statement to state broadcaster IRIB that Iran’s institutions are now fully prepared for the national team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.She added that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has ensured all necessary arrangements for the team’s participation, stating that preparations were made under the direction of the sports minister with a focus on providing the required facilities for a successful performance.
Qualification record and current status
Iran secured qualification in March 2025 by finishing top of their Asian qualifying group, becoming one of the earlier teams to book their place in the tournament. They have appeared in six previous World Cups, including the 2022 edition in Qatar.At present, Iran’s participation remains officially intact, with fixtures scheduled and FIFA treating their place as confirmed. While earlier statements had suggested the final decision rested on evolving conditions and higher-level approval, a more recent government update indicates that Iranian institutions are now fully prepared for the national team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, signalling a shift toward readiness rather than uncertainty.
