Iran qualified for the tournament, but its participation has been complicated, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for games on North American soil
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that Iran will play World Cup matches in the United States, after the conference of football’s governing body opened this Thursday (30) without the country’s delegation, with their absence highlighting the tensions and challenges surrounding the tournament. “Let me start from the beginning: of course Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said.
“And the reason for that is very simple, we have to come together. It’s my responsibility, our responsibility.” Officials from the Iranian football federation, including President Mehdi Taj, were expected to attend the meeting, but returned to Toronto airport after what Tehran described as “unacceptable behavior” by immigration authorities Canadians, despite traveling with valid visas.
A Expanded 48-team World Cup co-hosted by Canada, United States and Mexicowill require teams, officials and support staff to move repeatedly between jurisdictions, raising the prospect that visa restrictions or diplomatic friction could complicate planning for certain countries.
Iran qualified for the tournament, but its participation has been complicated, with Tehran requesting alternative venues for games on North American soil. FIFA rejected the request, insisting that the schedule would be maintained.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that Washington had no objection to Iranian players participating in the World Cup, but added that the players could not bring with them people with ties to the IRGC. Outside the convention center, about 30 protesters covered in Iranian flags and holding signs gathered to express their desire to see regime change in Iran. Protesters chanted their support for Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi.
