Gianni Infantino Says Iran Welcome At 2026 World Cup After Talks With Donald Trump

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Iran will be welcome at this summer’s World Cup after receiving assurances from United States President Donald Trump.

Infantino revealed early on Wednesday that he had spoken with Trump about Iran’s participation in the tournament, which begins in June and will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Writing on Instagram earlier this morning, the FIFA chief said the pair discussed preparations for the competition and the growing anticipation ahead of kick-off.

The update comes amid heightened tension following American and Israeli military strikes on Iran that killed Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory attacks across parts of the Middle East.

Iran has already qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and is scheduled to play group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. However, uncertainty over its involvement grew after Iranian representatives failed to attend a World Cup planning meeting in Atlanta last week involving participating federations.

Infantino said his conversation with Trump addressed the situation directly.

“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

The FIFA president accompanied his message with football and globe emojis, along with a heart.

Trump had earlier appeared less enthusiastic about Iran’s involvement. Speaking to Politico last week, he said: “I really don’t care (if Iran participates). I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

Infantino and Trump have developed a close relationship during the president’s two terms in office. The FIFA chief attended Trump’s pre-inauguration rally and inauguration last January and has appeared at several briefings in the Oval Office.

During the World Cup draw in Washington in December, Infantino also presented Trump with a newly created FIFA Peace Prize, introduced to honour individuals who “have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.”

Meanwhile, the chief executive of the United States Soccer Federation, JT Batson, has backed Iran’s inclusion.

“FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. And we’re certainly very supportive of that,” Batson told Sky News.

Despite the political tensions, FIFA insists the tournament will go ahead as planned.

FIFA chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said the scale of the competition makes any postponement unrealistic.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is just three months away and will feature 48 teams for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Speaking at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas on Monday, Schirgi said: “At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on, obviously. The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone that has qualified can participate.”

Naija News reports that Iran are currently scheduled to face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in the group stage of the tournament.