Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted on American soil, by saying, "Let them play." The remark came during a Thursday press briefing when reporters asked him about comments made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has repeatedly assured that the Iranian national team will be allowed to compete in the tournament despite recent geopolitical tensions.
The issue of Iran's involvement has been clouded by uncertainty ever since the United States and Israel carried out air strikes against Iranian targets on February 28. Those attacks heightened concerns about whether the Iranian side would be permitted to travel to the United States for the competition, especially given the broader diplomatic friction between Washington and Tehran. Nevertheless, Infantino has consistently maintained that the World Cup will proceed as planned, with all three of Iran's group‑stage matches slated to be played in the U.S.
He reiterated this stance at FIFA's annual congress in Vancouver on Thursday, underscoring the organisation's commitment to keeping sport separate from politics. When the question was raised at the briefing, Trump responded with characteristic brevity: "Well if Gianni said it, I'm OK. Did Gianni say it?
Gianni Infantino – that's a piece of work." He went on to say that if Iran were to win any of its matches, it would become a matter for the United States to consider, adding, "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 joked about the quality of the Iranian squad, asking the reporter, "Do they have a good team?
Do you have any idea?" The reporter admitted he did not, to which Trump replied, "It would be hard to believe actually. But let them play, right?" He further noted that, should both the United States and Iran finish second in their respective groups, they could meet in the round of 32 in Dallas. Trump's earlier statements on the matter had been more cautious; he once described it as "inappropriate" for Iran to compete, citing concerns for the safety of players and fans. However, his latest comments suggest a more permissive attitude, aligning with Infantino's view that the World Cup should serve as a unifying event that brings people together, regardless of political disagreements.
Infantino opened his address at the Vancouver congress by declaring, "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 added that Iran's campaign will begin against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. While the Iranian team prepared for its debut, the congress also highlighted ongoing tensions within the broader football community. Palestinian Football Association (PFA) president Jibril Rajoub refused to stand next to Israel Football Association vice‑president Basim Sheikh Suliman when Infantino called both men to the podium.
Infantino attempted to bridge the divide by placing his hand on Rajoub's arm and inviting him to approach Suliman, but Rajoub declined. Palestinian FA vice‑president Susan Shalabi later told Reuters, "I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering," referencing the conflict in Gaza. Infantino responded by urging cooperation, 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 criticised the gesture, arguing it ignored the substance of Rajoub's speech, which warned against Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements—a practice the PFA has challenged before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The dispute over settlement clubs reflects a larger legal gray area.
FIFA has so far declined to sanction the Israel Football Association or its clubs, citing the unresolved status of the West Bank under international law. The PFA maintains that teams based in settlements, which Palestinians view as part of a future state, should not be allowed to compete in leagues administered by the Israeli federation. Turning back to the World Cup itself, Infantino used the congress to outline his vision for FIFA's future and to announce his intention to seek a third full four‑year term in 2027.
If re‑elected, he would remain at the helm until 2031, overseeing the centennial 2030 tournament scheduled to be co‑hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. By the end of that term, Infantino would have served 15 years as FIFA president—only two years fewer than his predecessor Sepp Blatter. Infantino's tenure has been marked by a series of rule changes that effectively reset the term‑limit clock, allowing him to run again.
He first won the presidency in 2016, was re‑elected unopposed in 2019 after the voting procedure was altered, and again in 2023 without a ballot because he faced no opposition. His popularity among federations outside Europe has turned these elections into formalities rather than competitive contests.
During his speech, Infantino highlighted several financial achievements. He cited a $2.7 billion development fund earmarked for the 2027‑2030 cycle—a figure eight times larger than the budget before his leadership.
He also projected that revenue for the current 2022‑2026 cycle would exceed $14 billion, driven largely by the 2026 World Cup in North America. The organisation has faced criticism over ticket pricing, especially after adopting a dynamic pricing model. Infantino defended the approach, noting that 500 million ticket requests have been received—ten times the demand of the previous two tournaments combined—and that FIFA has sold virtually all of the inventory it has made available, including both premium and affordable options. According to Infantino, the bulk of the revenue generated is reinvested back into the sport through the FIFA Forward programme, which supports member associations with grants for infrastructure, training and grassroots development.
He emphasized that many national football ecosystems would not exist in their current form without these funds. In summary, Trump's brief endorsement of Iran's participation, Infantino's firm assurance that the team will play, and the surrounding diplomatic drama illustrate how the 2026 World Cup continues to be a flashpoint where sport, politics, and international relations intersect. The tournament promises to be a massive commercial and cultural event, with millions of fans worldwide watching not only for the football but also for the broader narratives that accompany it.