FIFA’s president held firm on Iran’s World Cup spot despite mounting tensions.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino used his address at the organization’s annual congress in Vancouver on Thursday to put any remaining uncertainty to rest. Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup, and the team’s group stage matches will be played on United States soil as originally scheduled. Infantino opened his remarks by addressing the issue directly and without hesitation, framing the decision around football’s broader mission of bringing people together across political divides.
The confirmation came despite the notable absence of the Iranian football federation delegation from the congress itself. Federation officials, including federation president Mehdi Taj, had been expected to attend but turned back at Toronto’s airport after what Iranian authorities described as unacceptable treatment by Canadian immigration officials. The delegation had valid visas, but a source familiar with the matter said at least one member of the group was denied entry into Canada, prompting the rest to withdraw.
Canadian officials offered their own explanation, noting that individuals with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are inadmissible under Canadian law, which designates the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Taj is a former IRGC member. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that screenings had been conducted and that appropriate action had been taken. The incident added another layer of tension to an already complicated situation surrounding Iran’s involvement in the tournament.
Trump weighs in with his blessing
President Donald Trump was asked about Infantino’s announcement at a separate news conference Thursday and offered his support without much deliberation. He described Infantino as a friend and said he had previously told him to make whatever decision he saw fit regarding Iran’s participation. Trump’s position represented a notable shift from earlier remarks in which he had described it as inappropriate for Iran to play on American soil. His comments Thursday were considerably more relaxed, suggesting the diplomatic temperature around the issue has cooled since a ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran took effect on April 7.
The possibility of a matchup between Iran and the United States adds an extra dimension to the tournament’s story. If both nations finish second in their respective groups, they would meet in the round of 32 in Dallas. Trump acknowledged the scenario with a degree of humor, saying he would have to figure that one out if it happened.
Iran’s path to the tournament has been complicated
Iran had qualified for the 2026 World Cup and is scheduled to compete in Group G alongside Egypt, New Zealand, and Belgium. Their opening match against New Zealand is set for Los Angeles on June 15. Tehran had previously requested that FIFA relocate Iran’s matches away from US venues, a request FIFA rejected, maintaining that the schedule would remain as planned.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added additional nuance last week, stating that while American authorities had no objection to Iranian players competing, personnel with ties to the IRGC would not be permitted to enter the country as part of the delegation. That condition creates logistical questions that FIFA and Iranian football authorities will need to work through in the weeks ahead.
Political tension spills onto the congress floor
The congress in Vancouver also saw a tense moment between the Palestinian and Israeli football associations. FIFA invited the Palestinian Football Association president and the Israeli Football Association vice-president to stand together at the podium, but the Palestinian representative declined to stand alongside the Israeli official. The Palestinian FA’s position related to ongoing disputes over Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements, a matter the PFA has escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA declined to take action against the Israel Football Association.
Infantino acknowledged the difficulty of the moment and encouraged both parties to work together in the interest of the children affected by the conflict, but the refusal to stand together underscored how deeply political the football world has become during this period.
Infantino announces re-election bid and defends ticket prices
Infantino also used the congress to confirm he intends to stand for re-election as FIFA president in 2027, which would extend his tenure through at least 2031 and position him to oversee the centenary 2030 World Cup. He also addressed criticism of the tournament’s ticket pricing strategy, noting that despite the complaints, FIFA received more than 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 edition, compared to 50 million across the previous two World Cups combined. He acknowledged that some tickets are expensive but maintained that affordable options are also available, and that all revenue is redistributed to member associations and used to develop the sport globally.
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, making it the first 48-team tournament in the competition’s history.