Following a high-level meeting in Türkiye, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the Iranian football team is set to compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, remains the designated stage for Iran’s international fixtures starting this June.

The announcement came after Infantino met with the Iranian team, their head coach, and the Vice President of the Iranian Football Federation in Antalya. The team was present in Türkiye for a friendly match against Costa Rica. This meeting effectively puts to rest speculations regarding a potential move of Iran’s matches to Mexico due to the current conflict involving the US and Israel.

According to the official draw, Iran is scheduled to play its first group match against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles. Subsequent matches include a clash with Belgium on June 21 and Egypt on June 27. Infantino emphasized that “football creates unity and hope even in the most difficult circumstances,” reaffirming that the matches will proceed exactly as drawn.

Previously, there was significant uncertainty after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran playing in the United States might not be appropriate given the current geopolitical climate. Iran’s sports ministry had also initially advised players against traveling to “opposing” nations. However, the FIFA President’s direct intervention and support aim to ensure the team can prepare under the best possible conditions.

Infantino praised the Iranian team for qualifying and noted their responsibility in bringing pride to millions of fans worldwide. He shared photos of the meeting on social media, expressing his desire for the team to send a positive message of humanity and solidarity on the global stage.