Infantino: Iran Will Play in the USA

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the Iranian national team will participate in the 2026 World Cup and will compete in matches hosted within the United States.

The confirmation addresses ongoing questions regarding the logistics and diplomatic feasibility of Iran’s participation in a tournament where the United States serves as a primary host. Speaking on May 1, 2026, Infantino reaffirmed the team’s inclusion in the event, stating that And, naturally, Iran will play in the United States of America.

Diplomatic Logistics and Visa Coordination

The announcement comes amid long-standing diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran. The two nations do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, which typically complicates the issuance of visas for Iranian citizens traveling to the U.S.

For international sporting events, FIFA typically coordinates with host governments to ensure that athletes and officials from all qualified nations can enter the country regardless of political disputes. This process often involves the use of special athletic visas or third-party diplomatic channels to facilitate entry for delegations from countries with restricted travel access.

Infantino’s statement suggests that the necessary arrangements for the Iranian delegation are either in place or are being handled through these established sporting protocols to ensure the tournament’s universality.

The 2026 World Cup Framework

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being organized as a joint venture between three North American nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This edition of the tournament marks a significant expansion in the competition’s scale and structure.

Key features of the 2026 tournament include:

• An expanded field of 48 teams, up from the previous 32-team format.
• A significant increase in the total number of matches played throughout the competition.
• The distribution of matches across multiple cities and venues in all three host countries.

The expanded format increases the diversity of participating nations, which in turn necessitates more complex diplomatic coordination between FIFA and the host nations to manage the entry and security of various international delegations.

FIFA’s Policy on Neutrality

FIFA has historically maintained a policy of sports neutrality, asserting that football should remain independent of political conflict. The organization’s governing principles emphasize that the World Cup should be an inclusive event where qualification is determined by sporting merit rather than geopolitical relations.

By confirming Iran’s ability to play in the United States, Infantino is aligning with the precedent that qualified teams must be allowed to compete in all designated host venues. This stance is intended to prevent the tournament from being fragmented by political boycotts or entry restrictions that could undermine the competitive integrity of the event.

The Iranian national team has been a consistent presence in recent World Cup cycles, and their participation in 2026 continues their streak of qualifying for the global tournament.

As the tournament approaches, FIFA and the host organizing committees are expected to continue coordinating with the U.S. Department of State and other relevant agencies to finalize travel and security protocols for all participating teams.