Overview
- Following Thursday’s pledge in Vancouver, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Iran will take part in 2026 and will play its group games in the United States.
- President Donald Trump said he would let Infantino decide and added “let them play,” while casting doubt on Iran’s chances on the field.
- The Iranian federation called FIFA weak and set three terms for taking part: no political attacks on the team or federation, use of the Islamic Republic flag, and full security for players, staff and officials.
- The federation said it will send a delegation to FIFA headquarters in Zurich on May 20 to negotiate those guarantees before the tournament starts in June.
- Iran skipped the FIFA Congress after Canadian border officers questioned federation chief Mehdi Tadsch in Toronto about Revolutionary Guard ties, and its U.S.-based games in Los Angeles and Seattle in mid-June could draw large protests that raise the security burden on hosts.