Will Iran play at the 2026 World Cup? Explaining the state of play

"US president Donald Trump caused more confusion on Thursday by saying he did not believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. The incendiary post on Truth Social came less than 48 hours after Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, said Trump had told him in a meeting at the White House on Tuesday evening that Iran would be welcome at the World Cup."

"Multiple sources at Fifa have told the Guardian that no decision on Iran's World Cup involvement has been made, with the world governing body giving itself until its annual Congress in Vancouver on 30 April to reach a conclusion. Fifa's official position remains that it wants Iran to take part, with its general secretary, Mattias Grafstrom, saying last week that our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating."

"There is no modern-day precedent for a team withdrawing or being removed from a World Cup. The closest parallel is the 1992 European Championship, when Uefa replaced Yugoslavia 10 days before the tournament in Sweden after the United Nations imposed sanctions due to the war in the Balkans."

Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup has become increasingly uncertain due to conflicting statements from multiple parties. President Trump stated Iran should not participate for safety reasons, contradicting FIFA President Infantino's claim that Trump had approved Iran's attendance during a White House meeting. Iran's football federation rejected exclusion, demanding the US be removed as host, while Iran's sports minister declared his country would not participate due to inadequate conditions. FIFA has not made a final decision and will wait until its annual Congress on April 30 to conclude. Historically, no modern World Cup team has withdrawn or been removed, with the 1992 European Championship providing the only precedent when Yugoslavia was replaced by Denmark due to UN sanctions.

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