Key Takeaways
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran will compete at the 2026 World Cup in the United States despite recent diplomatic tensions.
- The Iranian Football Federation missed the FIFA congress in Vancouver after their president Mehdi Taj was refused entry to Canada.
- Iran will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has told football fans that Iran will play in this summer’s World Cup finals in America. He spoke after doubts about the team because officials faced visa problems.
At the FIFA meeting, Infantino said clearly that Iran will go to the United States as planned. He said the team will play their games despite current political problems.
“Iran will take part in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said firmly. “They will play in the United States of America. We must bring people together through football.”
This news comes after a hard week for the Iranian Football Federation. Their president Mehdi Taj and two colleagues flew to Toronto but could not go to the congress in Vancouver. Canadian officials stopped Taj at the airport even though he had a permit to enter.
Taj was formerly a commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Canada lists this group as a terrorist organisation. The Canadian government withdrew his temporary resident permit at the last moment.
Iran will start their Group G games against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June. They will also clash with Belgium in the same city on 21 June before going to Seattle to face Egypt. If Iran and the United States both finish second in their groups, they will meet in Dallas in the next round.
American officials have said Iranian players are welcome. But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that some federation members with Revolutionary Guard links might have entry problems.
Infantino also talked about ticket sales for the tournament. He said fans have asked for 500 million tickets. Ninety per cent of tickets have already sold. FIFA expects to earn $14 billion from the 2023-26 period.