US EditionInfantino promises FIFA backing for Iran to play at World Cup
Infantino said FIFA will keep Iran on the 2026 World Cup schedule and has no backup plan as the team seeks safer venues.
- On Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met the Iranian national team in Antalya, Turkey, promising to "continue to support" their World Cup preparations.
- The team's recent actions honor victims of a February 28 missile strike in southern Iran that killed more than 165 people, mostly children, amid escalating Middle East hostilities.
- Before Tuesday's 5-0 win against Costa Rica, players held photographs of children allegedly killed by United States and Israeli airstrikes, echoing a prior backpack gesture against Nigeria.
- Citing safety concerns after President Donald Trump discouraged attendance, Iranian officials requested that FIFA move three group stage matches to Mexico.
- Infantino confirmed there is only "Plan A," with FIFA insisting the tournament proceed as scheduled in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said that they expect FIFA's support so that the Asian team will compete on national territory for the matches that correspond to the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the lack of security guarantees to play in the United States. The diplomat pointed out that they have had communication with the Mexican Foreign Ministry, while thanking President Claudia Sheinbaum's government for opening up.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino appeared at the Iran national football team's friendly match against Costa Rica and stressed that the team will play as planned at the World Cup finals.
FIFA takes firm stance on Iran's participation in 2026 World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed the organization’s commitment to Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup finals, emphasizing that there is no alternative plan to exclude them despite the political complexities surrounding the tournament. ESPN quoted Infantino as saying during an interview with the Mexican channel N+ Univision: We want Iran to play… they will play in the World Cup. There is no Plan B, C, or D; there is only one P…
If Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, repeated that his only plan was to take Iran to the World Cup, the geopolitical situation could force the team to withdraw from the tournament.
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