Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Iran's participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged partly on American soil. In a brief remark to reporters, Trump summed up his stance with a simple, "Let them play," indicating his willingness to allow the Iranian national team to compete in the United States despite the geopolitical tensions that have surrounded the nation in recent months.
The question of whether Iran would be permitted to travel to the U.S. for its group‑stage fixtures has been shrouded in uncertainty ever since the United States and Israel carried out a series of air strikes against Iranian targets on February 28. Those attacks heightened concerns about possible travel bans, security restrictions, or even a broader sporting boycott. Nevertheless, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has consistently reassured the global football community that Iran will take part in the tournament as originally scheduled, with all three of its group games slated to be held in American venues.
Infantino reiterated this commitment during the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday, stating unequivocally that Iran's participation is a foregone conclusion. When asked later that day about Infantino's assurances, Trump responded with a mixture of humor and deference: "Well if Gianni said it, I'm OK. Did Gianni say it?
Gianni Infantino – that's a piece of work. If they win we'll have to worry about that.
I'm going to have to worry about that one. You know what, let them play. Gianni is fantastic, he's a friend of mine, he talked about it, I said, 'you do whatever you want.'" The former president also quipped about Iran's footballing quality, admitting he had no insight into the team's chances but emphasizing that the decision to let them compete was not up for debate.
"You can have them, you don't have to have them, they probably have a good team. Do they have a good team, do you have any idea?" he said, before concluding, "It would be hard to believe actually. But let them play, right?" According to the official tournament schedule, Iran will open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, 2026.
If the Iranians finish second in their group, they could meet the United States in the round of 32 in Dallas, a matchup that would carry significant political and symbolic weight. Trump's earlier comments on the matter had been more cautious. He once described it as "inappropriate" for Iran to travel to the United States "for their own life and safety," reflecting concerns about potential security threats.
However, his later remarks suggest a shift toward a more permissive attitude, at least in public statements. Infantino's opening address at the Vancouver congress echoed the same theme of inclusion.
He said, "Let me start at the outset by confirming straight away, for those who maybe want to say something else or write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite.
We have to bring people together." The Iranian delegation was notably absent from the congress; they were the only one of FIFA's 211 member associations not represented by federation officials in Vancouver. The omission highlighted the broader diplomatic strain surrounding the country. The congress also witnessed a tense moment involving the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) president Jibril Rajoub and Israel FA vice‑president Basim Sheikh Suliman. Infantino called both men to the stage, attempting to foster a symbolic handshake between the two representatives.
Rajoub declined, stating that he could not shake the hand of someone he viewed as complicit in what he described as Israeli attempts to "whitewash their fascism and genocide." Palestinian FA vice‑president Susan Shalabi, present in the room, echoed Rajoub's sentiment, emphasizing the pain of Palestinian communities and criticizing Infantino's gesture as tone‑deaf. The dispute over handshakes reflected deeper issues.
The PFA has recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, challenging FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over football clubs based in West Bank settlements. The Palestinian side argues that allowing Israeli clubs to operate in occupied territories legitimizes settlements that Palestinians claim for a future state. FIFA, for its part, has cited the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law as a reason for inaction. In the closing moments of the congress, Infantino announced his intention to run for a third full four‑year term as FIFA president at the 2027 meeting in Morocco.
While the statutes technically limit presidents to three terms, a rule change in 2022 clarified that only full terms count toward the limit, effectively resetting Infantino's clock and paving the way for another tenure that could extend to 2031. If re‑elected, he would preside over the centennial 2030 World Cup, scheduled to be co‑hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Infantino highlighted several financial achievements during his speech.
He pointed to a $2.7 billion development budget earmarked for the 2027‑2030 cycle, an eight‑fold increase from the period before his leadership. He also projected that the 2022‑2026 cycle would generate more than $14 billion in revenue, largely driven by the massive commercial interest surrounding the 2026 World Cup in North America. Ticket sales have been a focal point of controversy, with FIFA adopting a dynamic pricing model that some critics argue inflates costs for fans. Infantino defended the approach, noting that 500 million ticket requests have been received—ten times the volume of the previous two tournaments combined—and that the organization has sold essentially all tickets made available, including both premium and affordable options.
According to Infantino, every dollar earned is reinvested into the global game through the FIFA Forward programme, grants to national associations, and the development of new competitions. He emphasized that many member associations would be unable to sustain football operations without these funds, underscoring the importance of the revenue stream for the sport's worldwide growth. In summary, despite the political turbulence surrounding Iran and the broader Middle‑East football landscape, both the U.S.
administration and FIFA leadership have signaled a clear intent to allow the Iranian national team to compete on U.S. soil in 2026. The tournament promises to be a showcase of sport's capacity to bridge divides, even as diplomatic tensions continue to simmer behind the scenes. The upcoming weeks will reveal how security arrangements, travel logistics, and public sentiment shape the actual implementation of these assurances.