FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that
Iran will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite concerns arising from the
ongoing conflict involving the country.
Speaking during halftime of a friendly match between
Iran and Costa Rica in Turkey, Infantino expressed confidence in the team’s
participation, describing Iran as a strong side and assuring that all
preparations remain on track.
Fixtures to Proceed as Scheduled
Infantino emphasized that Iran’s matches will take
place as originally planned, in line with the tournament draw.
The competition, co-hosted by United States, Mexico,
and Canada, is set to kick off on June 11, 2026.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and
Egypt in Group G, with games slated for Los Angeles and Seattle.
Uncertainty Amid Security Concerns
Iran’s participation had earlier been questioned
following the outbreak of conflict with the United States and Israel in late
February.
The Iranian football federation had reportedly
explored the possibility of relocating its matches to Mexico, citing safety
concerns.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also indicated
that her country would be willing to host Iran’s group-stage matches if
necessary.
Mixed Signals from U.S. Leadership
While Infantino initially suggested that assurances
had been received from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Iran’s
participation, Trump later raised safety concerns, advising against the team
traveling to the tournament.
Iranian authorities, however, rejected any suggestion
of exclusion, insisting that their national team cannot be barred from
competing.
FIFA Stands Firm on Inclusivity
Infantino reiterated FIFA’s commitment to ensuring
that all qualified teams take part in the tournament as scheduled.
He acknowledged that while FIFA cannot resolve
geopolitical conflicts, the organisation aims to use football as a platform to
promote unity and peace.
Emotional Tribute Amid Tensions
In a recent friendly against Nigeria in Turkey, Iran’s
players paid tribute to victims of a deadly airstrike by wearing black
armbands.
The strike, which hit a primary school in southern
Iran, reportedly claimed the lives of over 170 people, including students and
teachers.
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