United States President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed the idea of Iran taking part in the 2026 World Cup on American soil, succinctly stating, “Let them play.” This endorsement comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Iran’s involvement after the United States and Israel carried out air strikes against Iranian targets on February 28, an event that has cast a shadow over the nation’s sporting prospects. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been unwavering in his assurance that Iran will be allowed to compete as planned, with all three of the team’s group‑stage matches scheduled to be held in the United States. Infantino reiterated this position during FIFA’s congress on Thursday, emphasizing that the tournament’s integrity demands that all member associations be treated equally. When journalists later asked Trump to comment on Infantino’s remarks, the president responded with a casual, “Well, if Gianni said it, I’m OK.” He added, “Did Gianni say it?
Gianni Infantino—he’s a piece of work.” The former president’s tone was both light‑hearted and somewhat cryptic, reflecting his often unconventional communication style. The reporters pressed further, inquiring what Trump would think if Iran actually advanced and won matches. Trump replied, “If they win, we’ll have to worry about that. I’m going to have to worry about that one.” He then softened his stance, saying, “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.’” He went on to note that Iran might indeed have a competitive squad, though he admitted he had no detailed knowledge of the team’s capabilities. In a later exchange, Trump remarked, “It would be hard to believe actually.
But let them play, right?” The comment underscored his willingness to let the sport proceed regardless of political tensions. Should both the United States and Iran finish second in their respective groups, they could meet in the round of 32 in Dallas, a scenario that would undoubtedly attract worldwide attention. Trump has previously described it as “inappropriate” for Iran to participate in a tournament that could jeopardize the safety of its players, yet his recent comments suggest a more permissive attitude, possibly influenced by his personal rapport with Infantino. Infantino opened his address at the Vancouver congress with a clear declaration: “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 framed Iran’s involvement as a unifying gesture, a way to bridge geopolitical divides through sport. Iran’s first match in the tournament is set for June 15 in Los Angeles, where they will face New Zealand.
Notably, Iran was the only one of FIFA’s 211 member associations without federation officials present at the Vancouver meeting, highlighting the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding its participation. 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 called both men to the stage, encouraging a handshake as a symbolic act of reconciliation. Rajoub declined, refusing to come closer to Suliman. Infantino placed his hand on Rajoub’s arm in an attempt to persuade him, but Rajoub remained steadfast.
When asked about Rajoub’s refusal, Palestinian FA vice‑president Susan Shalabi, who was present, told Reuters, “I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering.” She emphasized that Israel has denied accusations of genocide in Gaza, a claim that remains a point of intense international debate.
Infantino responded by urging cooperation, stating, “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 the gesture, arguing that it ignored the substance of Rajoub’s speech, which warned against Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements. She described the forced handshake as “absurd” and a dismissal of the legitimate concerns raised by the Palestinian side.
Last week, the PFA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA chose not to sanction Israel for allowing clubs based in West Bank settlements to compete in its leagues. The Palestinian federation maintains that such clubs should be barred because the settlements lie in territory Palestinians envision for a future state.
FIFA, however, cited the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law as the reason for its inaction. Looking ahead, FIFA member associations will be invited to vote for the organization’s next president at the 2027 congress.
Infantino closed the Vancouver meeting by announcing his intention to run for re‑election. Given his overwhelming support among non‑European federations, his candidacy is widely expected to result in a third full four‑year term, extending his leadership through 2031. This would place him at the helm for the centenary 2030 World Cup, which will be co‑hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. If Infantino secures another term, his tenure would total 15 years—just two years shy of the record held by former president Sepp Blatter.
Infantino first won the presidency in 2016, a term that was originally intended to be his last. However, FIFA amended its statutes so that only full terms count toward the three‑term limit, effectively resetting the clock for Infantino. He was re‑elected unopposed in 2019 after the rules were changed to eliminate the need for a vote when only one candidate stands.
The same scenario repeated in 2023, allowing him to retain the office without a formal ballot. Critics argue that this process undermines democratic principles, but supporters claim his popularity with federations outside Europe guarantees stability and continuity. During his address, Infantino highlighted several achievements of FIFA under his stewardship. He cited a development budget of $2.7 billion (£2 billion) earmarked for the 2027‑2030 cycle, representing an eight‑fold increase compared with the period before his tenure.
He also projected that revenue for the current 2022‑2026 cycle would exceed $14 billion (£10.3 billion), largely driven by the commercial success of this summer’s World Cup. Ticket pricing for the tournament has sparked controversy, with many fans and observers criticizing the introduction of dynamic pricing. Infantino defended the approach, noting that FIFA received 500 million ticket requests for the upcoming event, a tenfold rise from the combined demand of the previous two World Cups. He claimed that 100 percent of the inventory offered to the market—roughly 90 percent of the global supply—has already been sold, and that a mix of premium and affordable tickets is available.
He emphasized that all revenue generated is reinvested back into the sport, supporting member associations, funding new competitions, and sustaining development programs such as FIFA Forward. “In a big majority of our countries, we could not have organised football the way we know it without the grants and the revenues and the FIFA Forward programme,” he said. In summary, the debate over Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup illustrates the complex interplay between politics, sport, and diplomacy.
While President Trump’s casual endorsement and Infantino’s firm assurances signal a willingness to keep the tournament inclusive, underlying tensions—particularly regarding the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict—remain unresolved. The upcoming FIFA congress and the broader international community will continue to watch how these issues evolve as the world prepares for what promises to be a historic and highly contested World Cup.