Former President Donald Trump has publicly voiced his support for Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in part on American soil this summer. In a brief media briefing, Trump summed up his stance with a simple phrase: "Let them play." This comment came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino repeatedly affirmed that Iran would be allowed to compete in the tournament, with all three of its group‑stage matches slated to take place in the United States. The backdrop to this diplomatic back‑and‑forth is the heightened tension that followed the joint U.S.–Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28.
Those attacks sparked a wave of uncertainty about whether Iranian athletes would be permitted to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup. Infantino, speaking at the FIFA congress in Vancouver, repeatedly stressed that the Iranian national team would indeed be on the schedule, emphasizing that the tournament should serve as a unifying event that brings people together.
When asked about Infantino’s assurances, Trump responded, "Well if Gianni said it, I'm OK. Did Gianni say it? Gianni Infantino – that's a piece of work." He went on to say that if Iran were to win a match, "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 former president 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 the reporter admitted he did not, Trump replied, "It would be hard to believe actually. But let them play, right?" Under the current draw, Iran could meet the United States in the round of 32 in Dallas if both sides finish second in their respective groups. This potential matchup has already drawn speculation about the political and security implications of a high‑profile game between the two nations.
Trump’s earlier comments on the matter had been more cautious; he previously described it as "inappropriate" for Iran to compete, citing concerns for the safety of players and spectators. However, his recent remarks suggest a more relaxed attitude, perhaps reflecting a desire to keep the focus on sport rather than geopolitics. Infantino’s opening address at the Vancouver congress reinforced the same message.
He said, "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." Iran’s first match is scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles, where they will face New Zealand. The Iranian delegation was notably absent from the federation officials present in Vancouver, making them the only one of FIFA’s 211 member associations without representation at the congress. The event also highlighted ongoing tensions within the football community regarding the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
Palestinian Football Association (PFA) president Jibril Rajoub declined to stand next to Israel FA vice‑president Basim Sheikh Suliman when Infantino called them to the podium. Rajoub’s refusal sparked a brief but charged moment, with Infantino attempting to gesture a handshake that was ultimately rebuffed. 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 added that Infantino’s attempt to force a handshake ignored 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 clubs based in those settlements. FIFA defended its position by pointing to the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law.
Beyond the political drama, Infantino used the congress to outline his vision for FIFA’s future. He announced his intention to run for a third full four‑year term in 2027, a move that would likely secure his presidency until 2031. If re‑elected, he would oversee the centenary World Cup scheduled for 2030 across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This would place him in office for roughly 15 years, just two years shy of the tenure of his predecessor, Sepp Blatter.
Infantino’s track record includes significant financial growth for the organization. He highlighted a $2.7 billion development fund earmarked for the 2027‑2030 cycle—an eight‑fold increase from the budget before his tenure.
He also projected that revenue for the current 2022‑2026 cycle would exceed $14 billion, largely driven by ticket sales for the upcoming World Cup. While FIFA has faced criticism for its dynamic pricing model and high ticket costs, Infantino defended the approach, noting that 500 million ticket requests have been recorded, far surpassing the 50 million requests for the previous two tournaments combined. He emphasized that a full inventory of tickets—about 90 percent of the global supply—has already been sold, and that the pricing structure includes both premium and affordable options.
According to Infantino, all revenue generated by FIFA is reinvested back into the sport. Funds are distributed to member associations, used to develop new competitions, and support the FIFA Forward programme, which provides grants essential for the growth of football worldwide. He argued that without these financial contributions, many national federations would struggle to maintain the level of organization and development they currently enjoy. In summary, Trump’s succinct endorsement—"Let them play"—reflects a broader willingness among some U.S.
officials to separate sport from politics, even as the underlying geopolitical tensions remain. Infantino’s steadfast commitment to Iran’s participation underscores FIFA’s official stance that the World Cup should be an inclusive, unifying event. Meanwhile, the ongoing disputes over Israeli settlements and Palestinian representation illustrate how football continues to intersect with global political issues, making the 2026 tournament a focal point for both athletic competition and diplomatic dialogue.