President Trump agrees to allow Iran to participate in 2026 World Cup in the US
Kevin Hand
US President Donald Trump has voiced support for Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, after FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the Iranian team will play on US soil. The decision comes amid ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Iran will open its Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
US President Donald Trump stated that he “has no objection” to the Iranian national team participating in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America in June and July. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said: “If Gianni (Infantino) says so, I have no objection. Let them play.”
The statement came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino, during his address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, confirmed that Iran would take part in the tournament and play on US territory. “From the outset, I confirm that Iran will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino told delegates. “And, of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”
Iran’s participation had been in doubt since the US-Israel conflict with Iran escalated in February. Iranian officials had proposed moving their group-stage matches from the US to Mexico, but FIFA rejected the proposal. Tensions mounted further when an Iranian delegation, led by Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) and a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was forced to leave Canada after being “insulted” by customs officers. Canada, which designated the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2024, stated that individuals linked to the force are “not admissible.”
According to the schedule, Iran will be based in Tucson, Arizona (USA) throughout the tournament. The team is in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Iran’s opening match against New Zealand is scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles.
