Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta, deepening questions about whether the country's national team will compete on U.S. soil this summer amid an escalating regional war.

Trump told Politico earlier that he is not concerned about Iran’s participation, describing the country as a “very badly defeated country.”

Infantino Says Trump Welcomes Iran

“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a post on his official social media account.

“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”

Infantino added that the FIFA World Cup is an event capable of bringing people together.

“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”

Iran Qualified for the 2026 World Cup

Iran secured its place in a fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup by finishing top of Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.

However, Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, warned that the intensity of the attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces does not bode well for the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19.

Iran’s Group and Possible Matchup with the United States

Iran was drawn into Group G alongside:

• Belgium
• Egypt
• New Zealand

Their matches are scheduled to take place in the United States, including:

• Two matches in Los Angeles
• One match in Seattle

If both the United States and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two nations could face each other in a July 3 elimination match in Dallas.

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