Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly voiced his support for Iran's participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged on American soil, by declaring, "Let them play." The comment came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino repeatedly assured that the Iranian national team would be allowed to compete in the tournament despite the heightened political tension following recent U.S.
and Israeli air strikes on Iranian territory on February 28. During a Thursday press briefing, Trump was asked to comment on Infantino's remarks. He replied, "Well, if Gianni said it, I'm OK. Did Gianni say it?
Gianni Infantino—he's a piece of work." When pressed about the scenario in which Iran might actually win matches, the former president answered, "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.'" Trump went on to add, "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?" The reporter who asked the initial question admitted he had no clue, prompting Trump to say, "It would be hard to believe actually. But let them play, right?" Under the current draw, Iran could meet the United States in the round of 32 in Dallas if both sides finish second in their respective groups. This possibility has raised eyebrows because Trump has previously described it as "inappropriate" for Iran to compete on U.S.
soil, citing concerns for the safety of players and spectators. Infantino, speaking at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, opened his address with a firm affirmation: "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." He later detailed that Iran's first match will be against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Notably, Iran was the only one of FIFA's 211 member associations whose federation officials were absent from the Vancouver congress. The congress also featured a tense moment involving the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) president Jibril Rajoub and Israel FA vice‑president Basim Sheikh Suliman. Infantino invited both men to the stage and attempted to bring them together for a handshake, but Rajoub declined, refusing to approach Suliman.
When asked why, Palestinian FA vice‑president Susan Shalabi told Reuters, "I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering." Israel, for its part, denies any genocide in Gaza.
Infantino tried to smooth over the incident, saying, "We will work together, president Rajoub, vice‑president Suliman. Let's work together to give hope to the children.
These are complex matters." Shalabi later criticized Infantino's gesture as tone‑deaf, arguing it ignored the substance of Rajoub's speech, which warned against Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements. The PFA has recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, challenging FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over clubs based in disputed West Bank territories. The association maintains that teams located in settlements—areas Palestinians envision as part of a future state—should not be allowed to compete in leagues run by the Israel Football Association. FIFA responded last month by stating it would take no action, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law.
Looking ahead, FIFA members will vote for the next president at the 2027 congress. Infantino, who is seeking re‑election, is widely expected to secure a third full four‑year term, effectively extending his leadership until 2031. That would place him at the helm for the historic 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
By the end of this extended tenure, Infantino will have served roughly 15 years—just two years shy of the record held by former president Sepp Blatter. Infantino first won the FIFA presidency in 2016, a term that was supposed to be his last under the three‑term limit.
However, rule changes now count only full terms toward the limit, allowing him to run again. He was re‑elected unopposed in 2019 after the voting process was eliminated, and again in 2023 under similar circumstances, reflecting his strong support among federations outside Europe.
During his closing remarks at the congress, Infantino highlighted several financial milestones achieved under his stewardship. He pointed to a $2.7 billion development fund earmarked for the 2027‑2030 cycle—an eight‑fold increase compared with the budget before his tenure. He also projected that the current 2022‑2026 cycle would generate more than $14 billion in revenue, largely driven by ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup. While FIFA has faced criticism for its dynamic pricing model and the high cost of some tickets, Infantino defended the approach, noting that 500 million ticket requests have been received—ten times the demand of the previous two tournaments combined.
He emphasized that the organization has sold virtually all of the inventory it has made available, with a mix of premium and affordable options. According to Infantino, every dollar of revenue is reinvested back into the sport through the FIFA Forward programme, grants to member associations, and the development of new competitions. He argued that without these funds, many national football structures would struggle to operate at the level they do today.
In summary, Trump’s brief endorsement of Iran’s participation underscores the complex interplay of sport, politics, and diplomacy that surrounds the 2026 World Cup. While the former president’s remarks were largely off‑the‑cuff, they reflect broader concerns about security, fairness, and the symbolic power of football to bridge—or deepen—international divides. Meanwhile, Infantino’s firm stance on inclusion, his handling of contentious moments at the congress, and his push for continued financial growth illustrate the governing body’s commitment to maintaining the tournament’s global appeal despite the geopolitical challenges that inevitably accompany such a massive event.