The Iranian national football team will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite earlier threats to withdraw amid the conflict with the US regime. FIFA has provided security guarantees, visa support, and ensured the team's participation in the tournament.
The decision was announced by Iran's Foreign Ministry following negotiations between Iranian officials and FIFA leadership. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the Iranian team will play its matches on US soil. "Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup. Of course, they will play on US fields. The reason is simple: we must unite people. That is our duty. Football unites the world," Infantino stated at the FIFA Congress.
Iran's participation was jeopardized after a sharp escalation in the Middle East in late February 2026, when the US and Israeli regimes launched a military operation against Iran. According to Iranian sources, the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the operation.
On March 11, Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Doniyamali announced that the team would not participate in the World Cup, as Tehran deemed it unacceptable to play matches in the US amid the armed conflict.
The situation began to shift after a ceasefire was established in April. FIFA intensified diplomatic contacts with the Iranian side, and US regime leader Donald Trump publicly assured that the team could safely travel to the tournament.
According to media reports, Iran submitted a list of conditions to FIFA, including security guarantees for players and delegation, visa issuance, and respect for the country's national symbols.
Despite the agreements, visa issues persist. Head of the Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj reported that part of the delegation has yet to receive US visas, forcing players and staff to travel to Turkey for document processing.
Additional complications arose with Canada, which denied entry to Mehdi Taj himself due to existing personal sanctions.
Earlier, amid the possibility of Iran's withdrawal, FIFA allegedly considered emergency replacement options. Discussions reportedly included an additional intercontinental playoff involving teams that failed to qualify directly, such as Italy and the UAE. However, after Iran's confirmation, the need to alter the participant list was eliminated.
In the group stage, Iran will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. The team's matches are scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle (US territory). The World Cup will be held across three countries for the first time: the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Source: podrobno.uz