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In a significant development for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced late Tuesday that he has received direct assurances from United States President Donald J. Trump that the Iranian national team will be permitted to enter the U.S. to compete in the tournament this summer .
The announcement follows weeks of uncertainty regarding Iran’s participation amid ongoing military conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran. President Infantino met with President Trump on Tuesday evening to discuss the final stages of preparation for the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 .
In a statement released via his official social media and the FIFA media channels, Infantino revealed that the conversation specifically addressed the status of the Iranian team.
“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. “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 sport amid global tensions. “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” .
Clarity Amidst Conflict
The confirmation provides a diplomatic pathway for Team Melli just three months before the opening match. Iran is scheduled to play all three of its Group G matches on U.S. soil: against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (June 15), against Belgium at the same venue (June 21), and against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle (June 26) .
The announcement marks a notable shift in tone from just days earlier, when President Trump told Politico that he “really [doesn’t] care” if Iran participates, describing the country as “badly defeated” . However, Infantino’s late-night statement suggests that the administration has now clarified its position regarding the travel and safety of the athletes.
The war, triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 that resulted in the death of Iranian leadership, has raised questions about logistics and security. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj had previously cast doubt on his team’s participation, asking rhetorically on state television, “Who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?” .
A Complicated Landscape
Tuesday’s assurance from the White House regarding the men’s team comes against a backdrop of humanitarian issues involving Iranian women athletes. Reports emerged this week that several members of the Iranian women’s national team, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, sought asylum in Australia during the Women’s Asian Cup .
Despite these tensions, FIFA’s World Cup chief operating officer, Heimo Schirgi, reiterated that the tournament is “too big” to be postponed and that organizers are taking the situation “day by day” with the hope that all qualified teams will participate .
The White House has not yet issued a separate statement regarding the visa processes for the Iranian delegation, but sources indicate that standard World Cup accreditation and travel exemptions are expected to apply.