Iran participating in World Cup, FIFA president confirms

In a significant statement that underscores the unifying power of sport, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has unequivocally confirmed Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup. Speaking at an economic conference, Infantino stressed that the beautiful game must transcend political divides, asserting that Iran "for sure" will be on the pitch.

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Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful situation, which would definitely help. But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play.

Infantino's remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, a factor that had cast a shadow over Iran's involvement. However, the FIFA chief was resolute, stating, "the players want to play," and emphasizing that Iran represents its people. This stance directly addresses concerns that had previously been raised, including those from US officials, about the safety of Iranian players in the United States.

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Sports should be outside of politics.

This confirmation is particularly resonant for Iranian football fans, who have long seen the World Cup as a vital platform for national pride and international engagement. Despite the complexities of the current global climate, Infantino's commitment to keeping "sports outside of politics" offers a message of hope and continuity. The decision also reaffirms FIFA's role in fostering global sporting connections, even amidst challenging international relations, ensuring that the focus remains on the competition and the athletes.

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If there’s nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we are doing the job.