Seventy days from the FIFA World Cup 2026, Iran’s participation remains unresolved. Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Sunday, April 5, that the country will attend the tournament only if FIFA agrees to move its group-stage matches out of the United States one of three co-hosts, alongside Canada and Mexico, and a country now at war with Iran. The US and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, following weeks of military buildup.
“If our request to FIFA for relocation is accepted, Iran’s participation in the World Cup will be certain,” Donyamali told Turkey’s Anadolu news agency.
The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) requested FIFA move its fixtures but had yet to receive a formal response at the time of Donyamali’s statement.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has left no ambiguity on the matter. “The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw,” Infantino said after meeting with IFF Vice President Mehdi Mohammad Nabi.
Iran is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.
The situation has been complicated by conflicting signals from Washington. Trump told FIFA chief Infantino on Tuesday that Iranian players would be welcome, but two days later posted on Truth Social: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Also Read:IPL 2026, KKR vs PBKS: Will Kolkata Suffer A Third Straight Defeat Or Punjab Complete A Winning Hat-trick Today?Iran’s World Cup 2026 fate uncertain as FIFA rejects venue relocation request; sports minister says US matches possible only with security guarantees.
Iran’s national team responded on social media, saying “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.” IFF chief Mehdi Taj then hardened the federation’s position: “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.” Taj also confirmed that Iran is negotiating with FIFA to hold its matches in Mexico.
Donyamali struck a more conditional tone in his April 5 statement. “Under these circumstances, the possibility of Iran participating in the World Cup matches in the US is very low,” he said, “but if the relevant security guarantees are provided, our government will make the final decision.” The team, he added, remains ready to play.
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