Former President Donald Trump has publicly voiced his support for Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged partially on U.S. soil this summer.
In a candid media briefing, Trump summed up his stance with a simple phrase: "Let them play." His remarks came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran would be allowed to compete in the tournament despite recent geopolitical tensions. The backdrop to this discussion is the heightened uncertainty surrounding Iran's involvement following a series of air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Those attacks raised questions about whether Iran would be permitted to travel to the United States for its scheduled group matches. Infantino, speaking at FIFA's congress in Vancouver, repeatedly assured fans and officials that the Iranian national team would indeed take the field in the United States, emphasizing the need for unity and the power of sport to bring people together.
When journalists pressed Trump on Infantino's statements, the former president responded with a mixture of humor and deference. "Well, if Gianni said it, I'm OK," Trump said, adding a light‑hearted jab: "Did Gianni say it? Gianni Infantino – that's a piece of work." He then addressed the hypothetical scenario of Iran advancing in the competition, saying, "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's comments reflected a broader diplomatic nuance.
While he previously suggested that it might be "inappropriate" for Iran to compete due to concerns over the safety of players and spectators, his later remarks signaled a willingness to let the tournament proceed without political interference. He added, "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?" when a reporter admitted uncertainty about Iran's footballing quality.
Trump concluded, "It would be hard to believe actually. But let them play, right?" Under Infantino's leadership, FIFA has been keen to stress that the World Cup is a global celebration that transcends politics. In his opening address at the Vancouver congress, Infantino declared, "Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and 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." The Iranian squad is slated to open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, and a potential knockout‑stage clash with the United States could occur in Dallas if both teams finish second in their respective groups. The congress also highlighted ongoing tensions within the football community.
Palestinian Football Association (PFA) president Jibril Rajoub refused to stand alongside Israel FA vice‑president Basim Sheikh Suliman during a staged photo opportunity, prompting Infantino to intervene and invite Rajoub to approach Suliman. Rajoub declined, and 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." The incident underscored the fraught political environment surrounding the sport, especially regarding Israel's activities in the occupied West Bank. Shalabi criticized Infantino's attempt to force a handshake, arguing it ignored the substance of Rajoub's earlier speech, which warned against Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements.
The PFA has already appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, contesting FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over those settlement‑based clubs. FIFA defended its position by citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law. Beyond the diplomatic drama, Infantino used the congress to outline his vision for FIFA's future and to announce his intention to run for a third full four‑year term in 2027.
If re‑elected, he would remain at the helm until 2031, overseeing the centenary 2030 World Cup scheduled across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This would mark a fifteen‑year tenure, just two years shy of the record held by former president Sepp Blatter. Infantino's re‑election prospects appear strong.
He first won the presidency in 2016, and subsequent terms in 2019 and 2023 were secured without opposition, thanks to rule changes that count only full terms toward the three‑term limit. His popularity among federations outside Europe has turned the voting process into a formality, with many associations endorsing him by default. During his address, Infantino highlighted several financial achievements. He noted that FIFA has allocated $2.7 billion (approximately £2 billion) for development projects in the 2027‑2030 cycle, an eightfold increase compared with the budget before his tenure.
Revenue for the current 2022‑2026 cycle is projected to exceed $14 billion (£10.3 billion), driven largely by ticket sales and broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup. Ticket pricing, however, remains a contentious issue.
Critics have accused FIFA of inflating prices and employing a dynamic pricing model that favors wealthier fans. Infantino defended the approach, stating that the organization received 500 million ticket requests for the upcoming tournament—ten times the demand of the previous two World Cups combined.
He claimed that FIFA sold 100 percent of the inventory it released, representing roughly 90 percent of the global ticket pool, and that both premium and affordable options are available. All revenue generated, according to Infantino, is reinvested into the sport through the FIFA Forward programme, which distributes funds to member associations for grassroots development, infrastructure, and competition organization. He emphasized that many national football federations would be unable to operate without these grants and the broader financial ecosystem created by FIFA. In summary, Trump's endorsement of Iran's participation, Infantino's firm stance on inclusion, and the ongoing political disputes within the football community illustrate the complex interplay of sport, diplomacy, and governance ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
While the tournament promises to be a showcase of athletic excellence and global unity, it will also serve as a stage where geopolitical tensions and institutional reforms continue to play out.