FIFA President Infantino: Iran team will participate in the World Cup group stage in the United States as scheduled

FIFA President Infantino stated on the 31st that the Iranian team will participate in three group stage matches of the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup as scheduled in the United States.
On the same day, Infantino watched the friendly match in Turkey where Iran defeated Costa Rica 5-0.
In an interview after the game, he said: “The matches will be held at locations determined by the draw, and we will proceed as planned.
As we saw today, Iran is a very strong team, and I am very pleased to have interacted with the Iranian players and coaches.”
The Iranian Football Federation later revealed that Infantino told the Iranian players: “From now until the World Cup, I will do my best to support the Iranian team…
If you want to organize training camps or have any matters related to overseas activities, whatever it is, I will help.”
The US-Canada-Mexico World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to the schedule, Iran is in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt, and all three group matches will be played within the United States.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran.
Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said in an interview on March 11 that, considering the current situation, Iran’s team is unlikely to participate in this summer’s World Cup.
It is reported that the Iranian Football Federation has recently been communicating with FIFA to request changing the location of Iran’s three World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated in late March that Mexico is ready to host Iran’s three World Cup group matches, but the decision is pending FIFA.
(Xinhua News Agency)