FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on Thursday that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup. Speaking at the FIFA annual congress in Vancouver, Infantino affirmed that the team will play its originally scheduled matches in the United States, despite the conflict between the two nations.
The team is scheduled to play in Los Angeles and Seattle, with a potential round of 32 match against the United States that could take place in Dallas.
Iran's place at the cohosted event had been in doubt following the US-Israeli war on their country. These geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges were underscored by the absence of the Iranian delegation from the congress in Canada.