FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday reaffirmed the governing body’s commitment to ensuring the World Cup proceeds “as scheduled” with “all teams” participating, despite growing doubts about Iran’s presence at the tournament following the ongoing Middle East conflict .
Speaking from Zurich during an online FIFA Council meeting, Infantino addressed concerns about Iran’s participation after the country’s football federation indicated it would boycott the United States but still wants to compete in the tournament .
“FIFA is looking forward to all teams participating at the World Cup to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect,” Infantino said. “We have a schedule. We will soon have the 48 competing teams confirmed, and we want the World Cup to go ahead as scheduled” .
Iran are scheduled to play their group games in the United States, facing New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle .
However, Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj indicated that as a result of the US-Israeli attacks on his country, he wants its matches moved to one of the other host nations—Canada or Mexico, which are co-hosting the World Cup with the United States .
“We will be preparing for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup,” Taj said in a video released on Wednesday .
Iran’s football federation has confirmed it has opened talks with FIFA about potentially relocating its matches .
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches if required, offering a potential solution to the diplomatic impasse .
Infantino acknowledged the limitations of football’s governing body in resolving geopolitical conflicts while emphasizing the sport’s unifying power.
“FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars,” he added .
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament has been shared among three nations.
