Iran Football Team Confirmed for 2026 World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver that Iran’s national football team will participate in the upcoming World Cup, set to play all its group-stage matches in the United States. Despite heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, including reports of an assassination attempt on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, FIFA has not commented on these incidents.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, Belgium on June 21 at the same venue, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. The Iran Football Federation’s head, Mehdi Taj, expressed concerns over military tensions and visa issues that could affect the team’s travel plans. Canada has reportedly denied entry to some Iranian officials, adding further complications.
Despite these uncertainties, FIFA maintains that host nations are responsible for border and entry decisions. Experts suggest that matches in Los Angeles, with a significant Iranian diaspora, may draw large crowds and potentially become politically sensitive during the tournament.