Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly voiced his approval of Iran taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on American soil, summarising his stance with the simple phrase, "Let them play." The issue of Iran's participation has been clouded by geopolitical tension ever since the United States and Israel carried out air strikes against Iranian targets on February 28, prompting widespread speculation about whether the team would be allowed to compete in the United States. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has repeatedly reassured the football world that Iran will be on the tournament schedule, confirming that all three of the Iranian side’s group‑stage matches are slated to be held in the U.S.
He reiterated this position during the FIFA Congress on Thursday, emphasizing that the governing body intends to keep the competition inclusive despite the surrounding diplomatic friction. When journalists later asked Trump to comment on Infantino’s assurances, the former president responded in his characteristic off‑the‑cuff style: "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 its 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.'" Trump went on to note that Iran could be a competitive side, 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?" In a possible knockout scenario, Iran would meet the United States in the round of 32 in Dallas if both nations finish second in their respective groups.
Earlier, Trump had suggested that it would be "inappropriate" for Iran to take part in the tournament because of concerns for the safety of its players and staff. Infantino, however, opened his address at the Vancouver congress by stating unequivocally, "Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Iran will play in the United States of America.
The reason is simple: we have to unite. We have to bring people together." Iran’s opening match is scheduled against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, marking the first time the nation will compete in a World Cup hosted by the United States. Notably, Iran was the only one of FIFA’s 211 member associations whose federation officials were absent from the Vancouver meeting. The congress also saw 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 stand together, but Rajoub declined to move closer to Suliman. Infantino placed a hand on Rajoub’s arm in an attempt to bridge the gap, but Rajoub remained unmoved. Palestinian FA vice‑president Susan Shalabi, present in the room, 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, has denied accusations of genocide in Gaza.
Infantino then addressed the assembled crowd, 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 criticised Infantino’s gesture, arguing that it ignored the substance of Rajoub’s earlier speech, which warned against Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements. She said, "To be put in a position where a handshake follows everything that was said negates the whole purpose of the speech.
He spent fifteen minutes explaining how the rules matter, how this could become a precedent where the rights of member associations are violated, and then we just sweep it under the carpet. It was absurd." Last week, the PFA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over FIFA’s decision not to sanction Israel for allowing clubs based in West Bank settlements to compete in the Israeli league system. The Palestinian side contends that such clubs should be barred from Israeli competitions because the settlements lie in territory Palestinians envision for a future state.
FIFA, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law, declined to take action against the Israel Football Association. Looking ahead, FIFA member associations will be called upon to vote for the organization’s next president at the 2027 congress.
Infantino used the Vancouver platform to announce his intention to seek re‑election. Given his overwhelming support among federations outside Europe, his candidacy is widely viewed as a formality; he is expected to secure 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, and would mean he will have served as FIFA president for roughly 15 years—just two years shy of the tenure of his predecessor, Sepp Blatter. Infantino first won the presidency in 2016, a term that was supposed to be his last under the three‑term limit. However, FIFA amended its statutes so that only full terms count toward the 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, and again in 2023 under similar circumstances. While the statutes technically require a vote by all 211 member associations, Infantino’s popularity with non‑European federations has turned his elections into near‑ceremonial affirmations. During his speech, Infantino highlighted several financial achievements of the organization under his stewardship. He noted that the development budget for the 2027‑2030 cycle has been set at $2.7 billion (about £2 billion), an eight‑fold increase compared with the pre‑Infantino era.
He also projected that revenue for the current 2022‑2026 cycle will exceed $14 billion (approximately £10.3 billion), driven largely by the commercial success of this summer’s World Cup finals. The tournament’s ticketing strategy, which has drawn criticism for its dynamic pricing model, was defended by Infantino, who said, "We had 500 million ticket requests. In the last two World Cups together, we had 50 million requests.
Here, 500 million. We sold 100 percent of the inventory we put on the market, which is roughly 90 percent of the global inventory so far. There are expensive tickets, yes, but there are also affordable tickets." He stressed that all revenue generated is reinvested back into the sport through distributions to member associations and funding for new and existing competitions.
"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," Infantino said. In summary, Trump’s casual endorsement of Iran’s participation, Infantino’s firm assurances, and the broader political undercurrents at the FIFA Congress illustrate how sport, diplomacy, and governance continue to intersect on the world stage. The upcoming 2026 World Cup will not only showcase football talent but also test the ability of governing bodies to navigate complex geopolitical realities while striving to keep the beautiful game inclusive and unifying.