FIFA confirms Iran will play all 2026 World Cup group-stage matches on US soil despite tensions
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on Thursday that the Iran national team will compete in the 2026 World Cup and that all three of its group stage matches will be played on US soil.
The decision ensures that politics follows the matches.
Infantino said at the FIFA World Congress in Vancouver, Canada, on Thursday.
“For those who want to say something else or write something else, let me start by immediately confirming that Iran will of course participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And of course Iran will play in the United States.”
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The backdrop is a period of increased tension between the United States and Iran following a joint US-Israeli operation earlier this year in which Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.
Despite previous speculation about potential venue changes, the schedule remains unchanged.
Iran will begin their campaign against New Zealand on June 15 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and will then face Belgium on June 21 at the same venue.
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Iranian team players pose for a team photo before the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifiers Group A third round match at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on June 5, 2025. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
Drawing assistant Shaquille O’Neal draws the Iran card during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Jia Haocheng/Pool/Getty Images)
The team will then travel to Seattle to complete the group stage against Egypt at Lumen Field on June 26.
Political difficulties also arise when determining matchups.
Canadian authorities recently prevented a delegation of Iranian football officials, including federation president Mehdi Taj, from entering the country before the FIFA Congress. The move is linked to Canada’s policies regarding individuals affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which it designates as a terrorist organization.
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FIFA acknowledged the situation but emphasized that host countries control their own border policies.
Interest is expected to increase further if Iran hosts its matches on the West Coast of the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Iranian population outside the Middle East.
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For fans and officials, Iran’s participation in the World Cup looks set to be a real-time test of how far the world’s biggest sporting event can go under the weight of international politics.
Iran’s players Omid Norafkan, number 21, and Saman Ghoddos, number 14, celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia Zone Qualifiers Group A football match between Iran and Uzbekistan in Tehran on March 25, 2025. (Photo: AFP) (Photo: -/AFP via Getty Images) ((Photo: AFP) (Photo: -/AFP via Getty Images))
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