Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Iran's participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged partly on American soil, by declaring, "Let them play." The comment came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino repeatedly assured that Iran would be allowed to compete as scheduled, despite the heightened political tension following recent U.S.-Israel air strikes against Iranian targets on February 28. During a Thursday press briefing, Trump was asked to comment on Infantino's statements.
He replied, "Well, if Gianni said it, I'm okay with it. Did Gianni say it? Gianni Infantino—he's a piece of work." When pressed about the scenario in which Iran might actually win matches, Trump 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.'" The reporter who posed the original question admitted he had no idea whether Iran possessed a competitive squad.
Trump responded, "It would be hard to believe, actually, but let them play, right?" He added that the United States could face Iran in the round of 32 in Dallas if both sides finished second in their respective groups, a matchup that would undoubtedly draw intense media scrutiny. Trump's earlier remarks had suggested it would be "inappropriate" for Iran to take part in a tournament hosted on U.S. territory, citing concerns for the safety of Iranian players and officials. However, his later statements appeared to soften that stance, aligning with Infantino's firm declaration at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver that Iran would indeed be part of the 2026 World Cup and would play its matches in the United States.
Infantino emphasized the need for unity and inclusion, saying, "We have to bring people together." Iran's opening fixture 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 whose federation officials were absent from the Vancouver gathering. The congress also highlighted ongoing geopolitical frictions within football, most visibly in a tense exchange between Palestinian Football Association (PFA) president Jibril Rajoub and Israel FA vice‑president Basim Sheikh Suliman.
Infantino attempted to bring the two men together for a handshake, but Rajoub refused, citing the Israeli delegation's role in what he described as "whitewashing fascism and genocide." Palestinian FA vice‑president Susan Shalabi later told Reuters that the forced handshake undermined the PFA's broader appeal for the removal of Israeli clubs based in West Bank settlements. The dispute over Israeli clubs playing in settlements has already been taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the PFA, which argues that such clubs should not be permitted to compete in leagues overseen by the Israel Football Association because the settlements lie in territory Palestinians envision for a future state. FIFA, however, has so far declined to sanction Israel, pointing to the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law.
At the close of the congress, Infantino announced his intention to seek a third full four‑year term as FIFA president at the 2027 meeting in Morocco. While the FIFA statutes technically limit presidents to three terms, rule changes now count only full terms toward that limit, effectively allowing Infantino to extend his tenure to a potential 15 years—just two years shy of the record set by former boss Sepp Blatter. He was first elected in 2016, re‑elected unopposed in 2019 after the voting procedure was altered, and again in 2023 without a contest. His continued popularity among non‑European federations has turned these elections into procedural formalities rather than competitive votes.
In his closing address, Infantino highlighted several financial achievements under his leadership. He pointed to a $2.7 billion development fund earmarked for the 2027‑2030 cycle, an eight‑fold increase over 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. Despite criticism over the tournament's dynamic pricing model, Infantino defended the approach, noting that 500 million ticket requests had been logged—ten times the demand of the previous two World Cups combined—and that 90 percent of the global ticket inventory had already been sold.
He emphasized that while premium seats command high prices, affordable options remain available, and that all revenue is reinvested into the sport through the FIFA Forward programme and other development initiatives. The congress also touched on the broader future of the game, including the upcoming 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and the ongoing discussions about expanding women's football, youth tournaments, and technology integration such as VAR. As the international football community prepares for the 2026 edition—set to be the first World Cup featuring 48 teams and spread across three North American nations—the interplay of sport, politics, and commerce continues to shape the narrative.
Trump's casual endorsement of Iran's participation, juxtaposed with the lingering diplomatic tensions and FIFA's attempts to keep the tournament insulated from geopolitical disputes, underscores the delicate balance that organizers must maintain. In summary, Trump has effectively given Iran a green light to compete on U.S. soil, echoing Infantino's firm stance that the nation will be part of the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the FIFA Congress highlighted ongoing controversies surrounding Israel and Palestine, the legal complexities of West Bank settlements, and the governance reforms that have allowed Gianni Infantino to potentially remain at the helm of world football for another decade.
The upcoming tournament promises to be a showcase of both athletic excellence and the intricate web of international relations that surround the beautiful game.