Gianni Infantino reaffirmed that Iran will play the 2026 World Cup in the United States: 'We have to unite people'

A few weeks before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, reconfirmed that, despite geopolitical tensions Currently, the Iranian national team will play the tournament in the United States, as planned in the original schedule

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The announcement was made during the 76th Congress of the international organization, held in Vancouver, where the leader was forceful about the participation of the Asian group. “Iran is going to participate in the 2026 World Cup. He's going to play in the United States. We have to bring people together. It's our responsibility: football and FIFA bring the world together,” he said.

Along the same lines, he reinforced his message with a call for unity in a complex global context: “We have to be positive, smile and be happy. There are too many problems in the world and too many people trying to divide. If no one tries to unite, what will happen to the world? We have the opportunity and the magic to do it.”

This new confirmation comes in the midst of weeks of uncertainty marked by the escalation of war in the Middle East, which had called into question the logistics of the Iranian team in North American territory, especially with regard to visas, security and transfers.

The Iranian federation had even begun efforts to move its matches to Mexico, another of the tournament's venues along with Canada. The Mexican president herself, Claudia Sheinbaum, had been open to that possibility: "Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries in the world, so we'll wait to see what

FIFA decides.”

However, the highest soccer body has always maintained its position of respecting the original schedule, ruling out changes of venue or changes in the number of participants. “We want the FIFA World Cup to be held as planned,” said Infantino weeks ago.

Iran qualified for the World Cup after leading its group in the Asian qualifiers and will be part of Group G along with Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

The Asian team will be based in the immediate vicinity of Tucson, Arizona and will play their games in Seattle and Los Angeles.

In this way, the organization seeks to sustain its institutional message in the midst of international conflict and to guarantee the holding of the 2026 World Cup without alterations.