Iran’s national soccer team will compete in the 2026 World Cup, FIFA officials have confirmed despite political tensions between Iran and the United States, one of the tournament’s hosts.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Iran would “definitely” attend the tournament, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the US had no intention of banning Iranian players.
Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup in March after a draw against Uzbekistan in the Asian qualifiers, securing its seventh appearance at the World Cup.
According to FIFA’s schedule, Iran will play its group stage in the United States, with its opponents in Group G being New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
