FIFA president confirms Iran will participate in World Cup and play in America

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, is not a problem for him.

This came in the statements of the US president following the signing ceremony of a presidential order on Friday in the Oval Office, hours after  FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play its matches in the United States, during his speech to the World Football Association Congress in Vancouver.

"If Johnny (FIFA president) says that, it's okay for me, let them play," the US president added,  explaining that he views Infantino's statement on Iran's participation in the World Cup positively.

He pointed out that Infantino had previously informed him about the matter, recalling that he had told the FIFA president that he could make the decision he saw fit in this regard, and Trump asked if the Iranian team was good, saying, "Maybe they have a good team."

Iran and the United States may face off in the World Cup

Iran begins its campaign with Group G against New Zealand Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and then Seattle against Egypt on the 26th of the same month, and if they and the United States finish second in their groups, the two teams will meet in the round of 32.

On Wednesday, the Iranian delegation canceled its participation in the FIFA congress, justifying what it described as "humiliating behavior" by immigration police upon arrival at Toronto airport, according to Iranian media.

Iran's participation in this year's tournament has been shrouded in uncertainty since the outbreak of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.

Iranian officials had floated the idea of moving the team's group stage matches from the United States to Mexico, but Infantino had previously rejected the proposal.

In a further development last week, US special envoy Paolo Zampoli reportedly floated the idea of Italy instead of Iran in the World Cup,  but the US government later quickly distanced itself from the proposal, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Iranian soccer players would be welcome.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.