Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly voiced his support for Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted on American soil this summer. When asked about FIFA president Gianni Infantino's declaration that Iran would be allowed to compete, Trump replied succinctly, "Let them play," adding a casual endorsement of the governing body's decision. The prospect of Iran taking part in the tournament has been shrouded in uncertainty ever since the United States and Israel carried out air strikes against Iranian targets on February 28.
Those military actions raised questions about whether the Iranian national team would be permitted to travel to the United States for the event. Despite the tension, Infantino has repeatedly assured the global football community that Iran will be present for all three of its group‑stage matches, which are scheduled to be held in U.S. venues.
He reiterated this commitment during a press conference at FIFA's annual congress on Thursday. During a subsequent media briefing, Trump was asked to comment on Infantino's statements. He responded, "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 a match, the former president quipped, "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.'" He 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 journalist who posed the original question admitted he did not know the answer, prompting Trump to conclude, "It would be hard to believe actually. But let them play, right?" In the tournament bracket, Iran could potentially meet the United States in the round of 32 in Dallas, should both nations finish second in their respective groups.
Trump has previously described it as "inappropriate" for Iran to compete, citing concerns for the safety of Iranian players and officials, but his latest remarks suggest a more relaxed stance. Infantino opened his address to the congress in Vancouver with a clear 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 went on to announce that Iran's opening match will be against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Notably, Iran was the only one of FIFA's 211 member associations that lacked federation representatives at the Vancouver congress, highlighting the diplomatic strain surrounding the issue. The event 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 officials to stand together, but Rajoub declined to move closer to Suliman.
Infantino placed his hand on Rajoub's arm in an attempt to encourage a handshake, which was rebuffed. Palestinian FA vice‑president Susan Shalabi, present in the room, later told Reuters, "I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering." She criticized Infantino's gesture as tone‑deaf, noting that it undermined the substance of Rajoub's earlier 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 the presence of clubs based in occupied territories. The association argues that teams located in West Bank settlements—areas Palestinians envision as part of a future state—should be barred from competing in leagues overseen by the Israel Football Association. FIFA, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law, declined to take action.
Looking ahead, FIFA members will vote for the next president at the 2027 congress. Infantino used his closing remarks to announce his intention to seek re‑election, aiming for a third full four‑year term. If successful, he would remain at the helm until 2031, overseeing the centennial 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
By the end of that term, Infantino would have served as FIFA president for roughly 15 years—only two years fewer than his predecessor, Sepp Blatter. Infantino first won the presidency in 2016 and was initially expected to step down after his second term. 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 and again in 2023, with no formal vote required each time because no other candidates emerged.
His popularity among non‑European federations has turned the election process into a formality. During his speech, Infantino highlighted several financial achievements under his leadership. He cited a development budget of $2.7 billion (£2 billion) for the 2027‑2030 cycle—a figure eight times larger than the budget before his tenure.
He also projected that revenue for the current 2022‑2026 cycle would exceed $14 billion (£10.3 billion), driven largely by ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup. While the organization has faced criticism for its dynamic pricing model and the high cost of 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 claimed that FIFA sold 100 percent of the inventory made available, which represents roughly 90 percent of the global ticket pool, and emphasized that both premium and affordable options are offered. Infantino further asserted that all revenue generated by FIFA is reinvested into the sport, supporting member associations and funding the development of existing and new competitions.
He pointed to the FIFA Forward programme as a critical source of grants that enable football to thrive in nations that would otherwise lack the resources to organize the game effectively. In summary, Trump’s brief endorsement of Iran’s participation, Infantino’s firm assurances, and the diplomatic frictions surrounding the Palestinian and Israeli football officials illustrate the complex interplay of sport, politics, and international relations that will shape the 2026 World Cup. The tournament promises to be a focal point for both athletic excellence and geopolitical dialogue, as teams from around the globe converge on American soil to compete for football’s most coveted prize.