FIFA president Gianni Infantino addressed the world football governing body’s conference in Vancouver, Canada, with Iran the only team conspicuously absent from the delegation.
Gianni Infantino insists Iran will play in the World Cup (Image: Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/FIFA via Getty Images)
Coach Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will participate in this summer’s World Cup despite the ongoing war with the United States. The tournament will begin on June 11, with all three of Iran’s group stage matches scheduled to be played in the country, which is currently at war.
Iran qualified for the 48-team tournament and will play Group G against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle. There have been calls for changes to the World Cup since the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States began in late February.
President Donald Trump said it was “not appropriate” for Iranians to compete “for their own lives and safety,” while it was also proposed to move the match from the U.S. West Coast to Mexico. Afterwards, one of President Trump’s envoys said that Italy, which has not qualified for the tournament, should be allowed to compete instead of Iran.
FIFA president Infantino remained undaunted throughout, insisting the World Cup would be a “full party” even as tensions mounted. And speaking at the FIFA conference in Vancouver, he reassured attendees that everything would go smoothly.
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He said, “Of course Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and of course Iran will also play in the United States.” “The reason is very simple, dear ones, because we have to unite. We have to unite the people. It is my responsibility.”
His speech came hours after Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada because of his membership in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran thus became the only country not represented at the FIFA General Assembly, just 42 days before the start of the tournament.
It was noted that Iran was “absent” when FIFA conducted a role call. Despite this, Infantino later stated, “There is no reason for the suspension or expulsion of the membership association.”
Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is denied entry to Canada to attend the FIFA General Assembly (Image: Harold Cunningham – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Infantino has maintained his belief that the World Cup can act as a unifying force even as wars continue in the Middle East.
“We want Iran to play and Iran will also be in the World Cup. There is no plan B, C or D. There is only plan A. Iran represents both the people living in Iran and the people living abroad,” he said last month, when he flew to Turkey to watch a friendly between Iran and Costa Rica.
“Iran is going to be in the FIFA World Cup, and we’re excited because we think Iran is a very strong team right now. So, we’re very happy. We’ve seen the team, we’ve talked to the players and the coach. So, there’s nothing wrong. They’re a very strong team, so we’re happy. We’re very happy.”
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