FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump has assured Iran that the country is welcome to compete in the 2026 World Cup, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This comes amid escalating tensions following U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran in February, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompted retaliatory attacks from Iran on U.S.-allied Gulf states.

Iran’s World Cup Participation in Question

Iran has qualified for the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time, finishing atop Group A in Asian qualifying. However, their participation has become uncertain due to the recent military escalation. The Iranian football federation’s president, Mehdi Taj, recently said it is ‘unlikely that we can look forward to the cup’ amid the conflict, with suggestions the country could withdraw from the tournament.

The U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran in February, which marked the beginning of a conflict that has since escalated. In response, Iran launched attacks on U.S.-allied states in the Gulf, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These actions have raised concerns about the safety of Iranian athletes and the feasibility of the team’s participation in the World Cup.

Trump’s Reassurance and the Role of Football

According to Infantino, Trump reiterated during a meeting with him on Tuesday that the Iranian team is ‘of course welcome’ to compete in the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Infantino said the meeting focused on preparations for the tournament and the current situation in Iran.

‘We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026,’ Infantino said in a statement. ‘During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.’

Infantino emphasized the unifying power of the World Cup, stating, ‘We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.’

Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group matches in the United States if they participate. Their first match would be against New Zealand at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by a match against Belgium on June 21 at the same venue. They would conclude their group stage on June 26 in Seattle against Egypt.

Previous Statements and Uncertainty

Trump previously expressed indifference about Iran’s participation, telling Politico, ‘I really don’t care’ when asked about the matter. Meanwhile, the Iranian football federation has expressed concerns about the safety of its players. Mehdi Taj stated that after the attacks, it is ‘hard to look at the World Cup with hope.’

In response to the conflict, Australia granted six humanitarian visas to members of Iran’s women’s football team, citing safety concerns. The remaining players left Australia after the team’s elimination from the AFC Asian Cup. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that seven people were granted asylum, but one woman later changed her mind and opted to return home.

Infantino’s claim that Trump has assured Iran’s participation comes amid growing uncertainty about the team’s ability to travel safely to the World Cup. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further developments as the tournament approaches.